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Our Programs

Little Wishes

Offering children impacted by foster care opportunities for joy, growth, and cherished memories.
Submit a Referral
Father teaching his son cycling at park

Does your child have a Little Wish?

Little Wishes fosters a sense of normalcy and happiness in children’s lives.It’s all about providing them with the chance to thrive amidst challenging circumstances, creating moments they’ll treasure forever. Please consider the following criteria BEFORE completing and submitting a Little Wishes Referral Form.

Eligibility

  • Child must be at least 5 years old.
  • Child must currently be in foster care.
  • One wish per year, per child.

A Little Wish must:

  • Develop or enhance a skill (for example, dance lessons, bicycle, basketball hoop).
  • Sustain the bond between biological siblings living in separate foster homes (for example, sibling visits to Chuck E. Cheese or Dave and Busters).
  • Provide the child with an opportunity to attend an attraction, event, camp, or trip (for example, a Cardinals game, summer camp, or senior trip). If the request is for the child to have the opportunity to attend a special attraction or event, please understand that the Little Wishes program provides funding for the child and one additional person to attend unless there are special circumstances.
  • Allow the child to gather with family and friends to celebrate a special day (for example, a special birthday party, prom expenses, graduation fees).
  • Makeover a space to cultivate a child’s sense of belonging in their home
  • Dollar limit: $300 maximum for summer camp; otherwise, $250 maximum for all other Little Wish requests.

Other Requirements:

  • Foster family/case workers/adoption recruiter/CASA/GAL are responsible for identifying and securing transportation necessary for fulfillment of wish.
  • Area limited to greater metro St. Louis area – Travel outside this area off limits.
  • Camps are determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • The time frame for wishes should be reasonable and finite (8 weeks of classes, not one year)
  • No electronic devices such as tablets, phones, laptops, or computers.
  • No toys.
  • No video games.
  • No pets.
  • No gun training, paintball lessons, fencing, shooting, or weaponry of any kind.
  • No clothing wishes are fulfilled unless supported by experience or self-esteem context.

Protocol for Change of Wish:

Any time a wish needs to be changed, a new application nulls and voids the previous submission. The referring source can withdraw a wish at any time. Wish fulfillment is first come, first served, and Little Wishes will make every attempt to fulfill them in a timely manner. Some wishes may be fulfilled first if there is a seasonal deadline (for example, Cardinals games, Six Flags visit, etc.)

Submit a Little Wishes Referral

Child's information

Child's Name

Caregiver Information

Address

Case Manager's(CM) / Adoption Worker's(AW) Information

Wish information

Please enter only the cost of the wish in this field (example: 120)
(if applicable - i.e. summer camp dates)
(if applicable)

Vendor Information (where the wish will take place or be purchased from)

Vendor address
By completing and signing this application, I hereby request to enroll the foster child in my physical custody in the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition’s Little Wishes program.
  1. I understand there is no guarantee that my foster child's wish will be granted by a donor. I understand that I will be contacted when my child's wish has been granted.
  2. I understand that the Little Wishes program is completely dependent on the generosity of others. I understand that even if my foster child's wish is granted, circumstances beyond the Coalitionâs control may prevent my foster child from receiving the wish through the program.
  3. I promise to inform the Coalition if the foster child is removed from my physical custody before the wish has been granted.
  4. I promise that if my child receives a wish that is tangible that he/she will take this gift with them if placement changes.
  5. I promise that we will write a thank you note to the donor within 14 days of receiving the little wish. I will send the thank you note to the Coalition, to be forwarded to the donor.
  6. I attest that the information in this Little Wish referral form is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Clear Signature
By signing your full name, you electronically acknowledge reading and understanding the above information. You state that all of the information you provided is true.