Did you know that every day in the Greater Kansas City area, there are over 1,700 children in foster care? According to the Statistics of Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, that averages to 80 children that are removed to foster care every month. Once a child enters care, the average time he or she will spend is about 13 months – that is over one year without a permanent home situation!

In these counties,  foster families and relative caregivers help fill the gap of a home for these kids. These are the families and children Man Up serves with its Adopt a Family program.

Just like our other domestic cohorts, the Man Up Kansas City launched in hopes of recruiting 100 men in Jackson County and beyond who will fight for the fatherless and demonstrate what Authentic Masculinity looks like.

Practically this takes place in our Adopt a Family program, in which foster families and relative/non-relative caregivers are served each month by our volunteers. This might look like some or all of the following:

• Providing respite care or meals;
• Completing special projects around the home;
• Providing opportunities for foster families to go on special outings;
• Buying diapers, formula, and other essentials;
• Providing Christmas/birthday presents and/or vouchers;
• Attending educational trainings to increase empathy and understanding.