Enriching the Lives of Children in Foster Care Since 1999
Each year, there are over 1400 children in the foster care system in Southwest Washington (Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties). BTG provides early access to tutoring, therapy, enrichment camps, and activities, as well as other needed resources such as clothing, and more. This supports abused and neglected children in foster care to have the opportunity to thrive.
🎒 Ready to Learn. Ready to Belong. 🎒
Help children and youth in foster care throughout Southwest Washington begin the school year prepared, included, and able to participate. As the new school year approaches, many children and youth in foster care are preparing for school without the resources they need to feel confident and ready to learn.
At Bridge the Gap, we raise funds to help cover back-to-school needs such as backpacks, classroom supplies, calculators, technology, clothing, shoes, and personal-care essentials.
Our support can also help address the expenses that allow students to participate more fully in school, including:
ASB cards and school activity fees
Sports registration and participation costs
Uniforms, athletic shoes, protective gear, and equipment
Class, lab, and project fees
Club dues and extracurricular expenses
Field trips, music programs, and other school-related costs
These opportunities can help children build friendships, develop confidence, discover new interests, connect with mentors, and feel that they belong in their school community.
Every contribution, no matter the amount, can help remove a barrier and create a stronger beginning.
Please donate today to help make a meaningful difference for a child in foster care.
💚 Please Join the Sustaining Circle Today 💚
Our monthly supporters are part of something special.
We call them the Bridge the Gap Sustaining Circle because they are the people who quietly decide: I want to be someone who shows up.
Small monthly gifts create a lifelong impact.
When you become a monthly donor, you help provide:
• Clothing and essentials during placement changes
• Educational support and tutoring
• Enrichment experiences that build confidence
• Emergency resources when needs arise
• Stability during uncertain transitionsMonthly giving allows us to plan support instead of reacting to a crisis. That difference changes what is possible.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Statistics for a Child in Foster Care are Staggering
*Stock images are used for demonstrative purposes
Severe Trauma
90% of children in foster care experience severe trauma.
Teen Pregnancy
71% of young women become pregnant before age 21 and 50% of these children are destined to be placed in foster care themselves.
High School Dropout
Only 48% of children in foster care graduate from high school.
Suicide
25% of children in foster care attempt suicide.
Incarceration
Of the 23,000 children who age out of foster care each year, 81% of the young men become incarcerated.
Separated from Biological Families
Only 50% of children in foster care reunite with their biological families.
