Form the Family (formerly Winnebago County Foster Closet) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Oshkosh, WI, recognizing the need for foster care reform. While their home base is in Oshkosh, they also invite service requests and family connections from surrounding counties. To date, families from Winnebago, Outagamie, Calumet, Green Lake, Waushara, Fond Du Lac, Manitowoc, and Waupaca counties are accessing services.
Form the Family is designed to provide informed support and resources and create a network for foster, kinship, and adoptive families. They offer the supplies and tools necessary to say “yes” when a family is asked to care for a child or youth. Caseworker referrals and direct family requests are accepted. Fulfilling requests looks different for each family; services can include a private shopping opportunity at the Form the Family facility or more extensive service opportunities like the back-to-school supply drive and holiday gift matching program, Christmas Crusade.
Form the Family hosts a monthly support group following the Foster the Family curriculum. Sessions are hosted at their location on the third Wednesday of the month and are open to all foster, kinship, and adoptive moms. Once per quarter, Form the Family sponsors a family night out. Events are free and of varying interests to encourage the participation of children of all ages. They look forward to hosting more Date Night opportunities in the future.
The Form the Family Board of Directors consists of women living and breathing child and family advocacy. Form the Family is passionate about sharing our mission and educating the community about foster care, kinship care, and adoption. They value each connection made with families and community partners.
A special thanks to Madyson Main-Oberleitner, the Form the Family Fund Development Coordinator, for her guest blog post contribution!
