One small promiseat a kitchen table.

From 47 children in 2006 to 1,514 last Christmas, and a year-round mission to help foster youth feel seen, supported and hopeful.

2006
first Christmas, 47 kids
1,000+
volunteers and donors a year
3
counties served from one center
$0
paid to any director per the 990
Joe and Theresa Toia hosting Masquerade for a Mission
Joe and Theresa Toia, hosting Masquerade for a Mission, October 2026.

The story

“For the second year in a row, not one child on her caseload had received a Christmas gift.”

On New Year's Day 2006, Theresa Toia sat at the kitchen table with her family when her daughter, a caseworker for the Department of Health and Human Services, said it. That moment lit a spark. Theresa made a promise: no child in foster care should feel forgotten during the holidays.

That first year, with help from family and friends, she brought holiday joy to 47 foster children. As the effort grew, so did the impact: from her living room into donated spaces, and eventually into a permanent home on Celeste Drive in Shelby Township.

Today FOFK serves foster youth in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, delivering thousands of personalized gifts each Christmas with the help of hundreds of volunteers. The work continues year-round: clothing within 24 hours of removal, graduation tubs, mentors, and a prom dress for every teen who wants one.

Twenty Christmases

From a living room to a warehouse.

2006

A promise at the kitchen table, and Christmas for 47 foster children from family and friends.

2008 to 2011

Filed for nonprofit status, then approved. The work moves from a living room into donated spaces.

Celeste Drive

A permanent home in Shelby Township: the warehouse, the wrap tables and the prom shop.

2025

1,514 children and youth at Christmas, 2,421 graduates helped, 811,962 gifts in all.

The people behind it

A volunteer board, and a thousand helpers.

Every director serves without pay. The board as filed with the IRS for 2025, and the people you will meet at the center.

Theresa Toia

Founder and President

Theresa Toia

Started Friends of Foster Kids at her kitchen table on New Year's Day 2006, after hearing that not one child on her daughter's caseload had received a Christmas gift. Still takes kids shopping herself.

Jennifer Kee

Board member · Fundraising and Homecoming

The contact for anyone hosting a fundraiser, and for the Homecoming & Prom shop.

Hosting a fundraiser? Jen is who you talk to.

Amy Sheehan

Board member · Volunteer for 15 years

“Once you've done one thing, you want to do more. You see the need and the effect it has, and you just naturally gravitate.”

April Matalavy

Treasurer

Keeps the books for a nonprofit whose board serves without pay.

Linda Roberts

Secretary

Keeps the board's records and minutes.

Beverly Bousson

Board member

Serves on the volunteer board that governs FOFK.

Ellen Sousa

Board member

Serves on the volunteer board that governs FOFK.

Only the founder's photo is on the current site; the board's headshots drop into these tiles.

Volunteer voices

“Whatever they ask of me!”

Liz C., who makes the comfort babies every child receives

“Once you've done one thing, you want to do more. You see the need and the effect it has, and you just naturally gravitate.”

Amy Sheehan, volunteer for about 15 years and a board member

Find a shift

No. 01

Spirit of Christmas wrapping

No. 02

Emergency Response shoppers and stagers

No. 03

Event and fundraising team

No. 04

Marketing and PR

No. 05

Social media

No. 06

Grant writing

No. 07

Tech

No. 08

Mentoring (ages 13 to 23)

Partners

The Angel Network, and the neighbors behind it.

Friends of Foster Kids works alongside the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, whose caseworkers know each child, and the Angel Network, whose support funds up to three scholarships a year.

First State Bank
Delta Dental
Lombardo
Burke Mechanical
Foresite Design
Nutt & Nutt Investment Planners
Shelving Inc.
St Thomas Community Presbyterian Church
All County Tethers
Bruce & Cathy Morris
Waltonen Engineering
Huron Capital Partners
Christian Financial Credit Union
Genisys Credit Union
The Detroit Shoppe at Somerset
Bochenek Wealth Management
Warner Norcross + Judd
Steakhouse 22
Plan IV

What people say

Kind words

4.9
21 Google reviews
Nina Jacks
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
I have organized collection efforts (mostly for tangible items and sometimes just money) and feel good knowing they are going to local young people who have had a tough situation that is out of their control. Directly giving toys, clothing, and school supplies means that 100% of my donation is going to those who have less than I do. I've been to both the former and current location and the warehouse is bustling with volunteers who organize the specific items that are outlined on their site as "requested." Sometimes, around prom season or holidays, I like to check out their Amazon wishlist online and send a little something real quick, even if it's just $10.
Erica Kral
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
Friends of Foster Kids is an incredible organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of children and young adults experiencing foster care. Our family and business have had the privilege of supporting them through sponsoring golf outings and providing graduation gifts, and we've seen firsthand the impact they have on the community. What I love most is that they don't just support children while they're in foster care—they continue to walk alongside them as they transition into adulthood after aging out of the system. That kind of long-term commitment is rare and so needed. The team genuinely cares, is incredibly passionate, and uses every opportunity to make foster youth feel seen, valued, and supported. If you're looking for an organization to volunteer with, donate to, or partner with, I can't recommend Friends of Foster Kids enough. They are changing lives every single day.
Marie Grace Brabandt
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
I started volunteering in the fall of 2025 at a recommendation from 2 of my friends who are heavily involved with FOFK organization. I saw the impact this organization and all the volunteers have on all the kids. I volunteered for the Christmas season wrapping and organizing gifts for 1500 foster kids. It was amazing, it was rewarding, giving back, making friends with other volunteers, seeing how well this organization is run and all they do throughout the year. It's not a one and done organization. They do amazing work all year round. And people donate all year and part of all the charity events. It's the best organization I have found to volunteer at. 🫂🩷🙌
Rallycatt K
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
Great organization devoted to helping the too-often-forgotten kids in the foster care system. They have many events during the year that help foster kids. I have volunteered with FOFK for 5 years and can't wait for this Christmas season!
Stephanie Dobson
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
Heart of gold from so many to make a difference in the life of so many children. Anything ever dropped off is so appreciated from tape, wrapping paper all the way to a bike!!! Keep up the hard work earning your wings.

Keep the promise going.

501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 26-3886394 · 51341 Celeste Dr, Shelby Township, MI 48315