In the often-overlooked corners of foster care, Alison Spalding is making waves through her grassroots initiative, Fostering Kindness. What started as a simple observation has blossomed into a movement providing support and dignity to foster children across the region. Spalding, with her characteristic humility, shares, “I never set out to make something big. I just saw a need and figured someone had to do something about it.”
A Practical Beginning
The inception of Fostering Kindness came during a moment that Alison couldn’t ignore. “During our first placement as foster parents,” she recalls, “a child came to us with almost nothing—a couple of worn-out clothes and personal items stuffed into a garbage bag.” This moment left an indelible mark on her. “There’s something wrong when a child’s life can be packed into a trash bag,” she says. “It felt degrading.”
Determined to make a change, Alison Spalding came up with a practical solution. “I thought, what if we just start by giving them backpacks?” That simple idea became the foundation of Fostering Kindness. Initially, it was just about providing foster children with essential items like toiletries, books, and comforting personal belongings. Now, the organization distributes hundreds of backpacks every year, each filled with items meant to bring a sense of ownership and dignity to the children who receive them.
Spalding explains, “We’re not doing anything extraordinary; we’re just trying to make things a little better in a system that’s too often indifferent.”
Building a Community
What began with a few backpacks quickly grew into something much larger. “We never had a grand plan to grow,” Spalding admits. “The work just evolved as more people got involved.” Today, Fostering Kindness supports foster parents, organizes community groups, and continues raising awareness about the needs of children in the foster care system.
A critical element of the organization’s success has been its active Facebook group, initially started to share updates. It has now evolved into a vital resource for foster families, volunteers, and supporters. “It’s grown into something bigger than we imagined,” Alison notes. “It’s a place for people to connect, share advice, or just offer support.”
Spalding often marvels at how far the group’s reach has extended. “We’ve had foster parents join from across the country. It’s comforting for people to know they’re not alone in this,” she says, with her focus always on the practical. “It’s not about making people feel better for a moment—it’s about giving them the tools they need to keep going.”
Educating for Change
As Fostering Kindness continues to grow, Alison Spalding’s role as an advocate has naturally evolved. “People don’t really understand foster care,” she says. “They think the kids are difficult or that foster parents are doing it for the money. That’s not the reality.”
To address these misconceptions, the organization now offers workshops for new and prospective foster parents. “A lot of people want to foster but feel overwhelmed,” Spalding explains. “We want to help them succeed.” These workshops focus on preparing families for the trauma foster children often face, setting realistic expectations, and navigating the complexities of the foster care system.
“It’s not enough to have the heart for fostering,” Alison states. “You need to be prepared for the challenges, and we’re here to help with that.”
Collaborating for Impact
A recent collaboration between Fostering Kindness and students from Flagler College exemplifies the growing reach of Spalding’s work. Together, they worked to customize duffle bags and toiletry kits for children in foster care. Spalding reflects on this partnership, saying, “It was important for these students to understand the impact they were having. The project wasn’t just about putting items in a bag—it was about giving kids something that felt theirs.”
Through this collaboration, Spalding has strengthened ties between the academic community and her organization, paving the way for future projects. “It’s incredible to see the next generation so eager to help,” she says. “Their efforts made a difference.”
Providing Dignity and Respect
At the heart of Fostering Kindness is one guiding principle: children deserve dignity. Alison Spalding’s approach to this mission is direct and pragmatic. “Foster children have been through enough,” she says. “The least we can do is treat them with respect.”
This principle manifests in every aspect of the organization, from the carefully chosen items in each backpack to the emphasis on respect and kindness. “We don’t just throw things together,” she explains. “We think about what these kids might need and what might bring them comfort.” The backpacks include both necessities and personal items, such as journals, books, or stuffed animals—items that feel thoughtful and personal.
“Is it a complete solution? No,” Alison acknowledges. “But it’s a start.”
A Community Effort
Spalding is quick to emphasize that the success of Fostering Kindness is not hers alone. “None of this would be possible without the people who’ve stepped up,” she explains. “It’s really a community effort.”
Local businesses have been essential, donating goods and funds to help expand the program. “People are always asking how they can help,” Spalding says. “It’s one of the most humbling parts of this work—seeing how willing people are to give their time and resources.”
Despite the ever-growing nature of Fostering Kindness, Spalding remains grounded in her approach. “There’s still so much to be done,” she admits. “But you just have to keep moving forward, one thing at a time.”
Looking Forward
When asked about the future of Fostering Kindness, Alison Spalding remains characteristically measured. “We don’t need to change the world,” she says. “But if we can give these children a little more hope and dignity, we’re doing something right.”
As the organization continues to expand, Spalding remains focused on the mission that has driven her from the beginning—helping foster children feel valued and respected. “There’s always more to be done,” she says with quiet determination, knowing that real change comes from steady, sustained effort.
For more details on how to support foster children, visit the resources from the National Foster Care Association.
Find out more about fostering and child welfare at the resources provided by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
If you’re interested in fostering or adopting, check out the resources at AdoptUSKids.
