Fostering Care: Empowering Students to Make a Difference
Washington County Career Center students who helped implement the Foster Care Project pose with some of the bags they filled.
At Morgan High School, Cassie Lamb, a teacher and foster parent, recently adopted her sons—Zander, 6, and Mason, 5,. Her family has fostered multiple children, including an 8-month-old recently reunited with their biological family. While fostering, Cassie received care bags created through a student-led initiative that exemplifies compassion and community support.
The Foster Care Project began with a simple idea: provide essentials for children entering foster care. The idea was embraced by students in our co-curricular Students Solving Problems (SSP) groups in Washington County.
SSP groups exist in all Washington County public school districts. With the help of advisors and student interns, they engage high school and middle school students in tackling behavioral health issues, including mental, physical, emotional, and public health, in their schools and communities. Students work on both a local level and a county-wide level to lead the way to healthier communities. SSP offers students a chance to explore different career opportunities, develop success skills, address real issues and make a positive impact right where they are.
Students from the Washington County Career Center SSP group and the Belpre High School SSP group joined forces in the spring of 2024 to make it happen. Students from the Washington County Career Center reflected on their experiences with the project:
Hannah Richmond, Senior from Belpre, OH
As SSP intern and president, Hannah helped organize the project, saying, “I know it matters to be able to give these things to foster kids.” She also created a video for CRUSH AmeriCorps to showcase their work.Bridget Crock, Senior from Marietta, OH
Bridget delivered 50 filled bags to Washington County Children Services and 100 more for future use. The project, she said, brought her closer to friends while helping others. “Don’t just say you want to do it; you have to do it as well,” she added.Kendra Hoyt, Senior from Vincent, OH
Kendra focused on practical needs, collecting hygiene items, phone chargers, blankets, and stuffed animals. She shared, “Even if you think you can’t do anything, giving your time is enough.”Brighton Eichhorn, Senior from Waterford, OH
Brighton joined the project at the midway point and found joy in making a difference. With cousins in foster care, the project hit close to home. As the SSP Vice President, they also created a school-specific website to aid in organization.
Washington County Career Center Educator advisor Shari Elfline commended the students, saying, “They were so passionate. They just took off with it.” The bags, provided by the CRUSH program and filled by students, became tangible symbols of care, teaching young people the power of empathy and action.
Students Solving Problems projects and initiatives such as these are supported by the Memorial Health Foundation through mini-grant funding and a professional grant-process that students and groups can access. Executive Director Jarrett Stull said, “The Board of Trustees and I are deeply honored to support the students participating in BB2C's Student Solving Problems program. Through this initiative, we witness the remarkable compassion and innovation of students who care deeply about the well-being of our community. The projects developed through this program over the years have made a meaningful impact, enhancing the health and lives of those they are designed to serve. At Memorial Health Foundation, we are committed to supporting community organizations like BB2C that align with our mission to improve the health and vitality of our community. We are inspired by these young changemakers and the difference they are making.”
This initiative didn’t just support children like Cassie’s foster placements—it taught students that even small acts of kindness can create lasting impact. Through their efforts, these young leaders proved that fostering care is about building brighter futures for everyone involved.