Join The Hygiene Drive: How You Can Support Foster Families and Kids In Need This Month

This month, CVCA is proud to support the Brevard County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (BCFAPA) and Brevard County Schools through a community hygiene drive. To better understand the mission of this vital organization and how we can help, I spoke with Mary Grace, Co-founder and Director of Community Connections at BCFAPA.

BCFAPA was founded in 2024 by three foster families who had walked the journey themselves. Their mission is to build a support network for foster and adoptive families, provide education, and encourage community involvement. The organization is entirely run by volunteers and was born out of the recognition that foster families often lack the guidance and emotional support they need, especially when just starting.

“Fifty percent of foster parents quit within the first year,” Mary Grace explained. “We realized that to best support the kids in the foster system, we need to first support the families who were opening their homes to them.”

Mary Grace, who has personally fostered 11 children over six years, saw firsthand the challenges that came with navigating the system. Her role with BCFAPA is all about building bridges between foster families and the community, to help make an impact in these families’ lives, as well as shedding light on what fostering really looks like.

As a community, it’s important to step up where we can. Hosting a hygiene drive is one meaningful way to show our support for the children and teens in foster care. Transitions between homes can be incredibly difficult, and offering even small comforts during those times can make a big difference.

Mary Grace’s goal is to collect at least 100 hygiene kits, or even individual items that can be pieced together into meaningful care packages. Something as simple as a toothbrush or clean socks can offer a sense of stability during a time that often feels chaotic.

She shared that some of the most needed items are:

• Sensitive skin products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, baby wipes)
• Free & clear laundry detergent (free of additives and parabens)
• All sizes of diapers, but specifically size 4 (this is the size toddlers tend to be in the longest).

These seemingly small essentials remind children that they matter and that their comfort is important, especially in uncertain times.

More Ways to Get Involved

In addition to donating items, Mary Grace encourages community members and business owners to consider becoming a BCFAPA Community Partner. This is a program that allows local businesses or individuals to offer discounts, experiences, or services to the foster and adoptive families that are members.

Mary Grace shared the example of a local boating business owner who partners with BCFAPA by taking a member family out on the water each week, creating lasting memories. But you don’t need to own a business to make a difference. “Support can come in many creative forms,” Mary Grace explained. “Even something as simple as hosting a neighborhood yard sale and donating a portion of the proceeds, or organizing your own community hygiene drive, can have a big impact. Every bit helps.”

BCFAPA also hosts quarterly events and often needs volunteers to sort, pack, and deliver items to families. Follow their Facebook page to stay updated on upcoming opportunities.

At the heart of it all is a powerful reminder that these children didn’t ask for their circumstances, and they deserve to have the freedom to just be kids. “They deserve stability. They deserve care. They deserve to be shown that they matter,” Mary Grace said. “And the best way we can do that is by supporting the families that are directly stepping up to care for them.”

If you’d like to get involved but aren’t sure where to start, Mary Grace encourages reaching out directly via Facebook or email.

If you are a foster or adoptive family in Brevard County, you may be eligible to become a BCFAPA Family Member. Membership is open to Brevard County residents who are licensed foster homes or adoptive homes of children. There’s a $25 annual fee, which helps fund the quarterly programs and events BCFAPA provides to the families. As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive resources, events, and ongoing support tailored to the unique needs of foster and adoptive families. It’s a wonderful way to connect with others who understand your journey and become part of a community that is here to uplift, empower, and support you.

How You Can Help: Hygiene Drive Info

• Donation Goal: 100 hygiene kits (full or partial)
• Check out the flyer in the newsletter that includes a full list of items needed.
• Drop-Off locations:
  • Addison Village Club – 8150 Stadium Pkwy.
  • Duran Golf Club – 7032 Stadium Pkwy.
  • Viera Discovery Center – 6729 Colonnade Ave. Ste 111

Other businesses supporting this drive are: The Viera Company, Viera Commercial Properties, Viera Builders, Duran Golf Club, and Addison Village Club.

Let’s come together as a community to support those who open their hearts and homes to children in need. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference.