Little Wishes

Program Overview

Little Wishes is a heartfelt initiative within Family Enrichment, offering children impacted by foster care opportunities for joy, growth, and cherished memories. Through a range of experiences and material gifts, such as summer camp funds, amusement park passes, sports lessons, music classes, bikes, and birthday celebrations, Little Wishes fosters a sense of normalcy and happiness in their lives. It’s about providing our children with the chance to thrive amidst challenging circumstances, creating moments they’ll treasure forever.

Grant a Little Wish

Note: if no Little Wishes appear above, then all of them are granted at this time. Consider making a donation to grant a child’s big wish – a forever family – instead!

Little Wishes Requirements

Please consider the following criteria BEFORE completing and submitting a Little Wishes Referral Form.

Eligibility

• Child must be at least 5 years old.
• Child must currently be in foster care.
• One wish per year, per child.

A Little Wish must:

• Develop or enhance a skill (for example, dance lessons, bicycle, basketball hoop).
• Sustain the bond between biological siblings living in separate foster homes (for example, sibling visits to Chuck E. Cheese or Dave and Busters).
• Provide the child with an opportunity to attend an attraction, event, camp, or trip (for example, a Cardinals game, summer camp, or senior trip). If the request is for the child to have the opportunity to attend a special attraction or event, please understand that the Little Wishes program provides funding for the child and one additional person to attend unless there are special circumstances.
• Allow the child to gather with family and friends to celebrate a special day (for example, a special birthday party, prom expenses, graduation fees).
• Makeover a space to cultivate a child’s sense of belonging in their home
• Dollar limit: $300 maximum for summer camp; otherwise, $250 maximum for all other Little Wish requests.

Other Requirements:

• Foster family/case workers/adoption recruiter/CASA/GAL are responsible for identifying and securing transportation necessary for fulfillment of wish.
• Area limited to greater metro St. Louis area – Travel outside this area off limits.
• Camps are determined on a case-by-case basis.
• The time frame for wishes should be reasonable and finite (8 weeks of classes, not one year)
• No electronic devices such as tablets, phones, laptops, or computers.
• No toys.
• No video games.
• No pets.
• No gun training, paintball lessons, fencing, shooting, or weaponry of any kind.
• No clothing wishes are fulfilled unless supported by experience or self-esteem context.

Protocol for Change of Wish:

Any time a wish needs to be changed, a new application nulls and voids the previous submission. The referring source can withdraw a wish at any time. Wish fulfillment is first come, first served, and Little Wishes will make every attempt to fulfill them in a timely manner.  Some wishes may be fulfilled first if there is a seasonal deadline (for example, Cardinals games, Six Flags visit, etc.)