It takes a village to raise a foster child.
About Us
It takes a village to raise a child, and that is even more true of foster children with their complex challenges and needs. Contra Costa Foster Friend’s mission is to come alongside foster families in Contra Costa County and provide them with critical and ongoing support so that they are able to continue opening up their hearts and homes to foster children. We accomplish this by building relationships, meeting tangible needs and giving them a place to be encouraged, valued and connected.
Donate
If you prefer to write a check please mail it to:
Contra Costa Foster Friends
367 Civic Drive Unit #7
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
How you can help
From donating new or gently used items or shopping our wish lists, to volunteering in our Resource center, volunteers are a essential part of our ability to serve foster families
Shop Our Amazon Wishlists
Not sure what items are most needed? Check out our Amazon Gift Lists, order on the site, and Amazon will have it shipped directly to us!
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Donate Tangible Items
We strive to uphold the dignity of all foster children and kindly request all donated items are in new or excellent condition.
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Volunteer
Volunteer in our Resource Center. Email ccfosterfriends@gmail.com for more information.
What we Do
Email Updates
Sign up for email updates and stay up-to-date on the needs of our resource closet, and hear about the incredible difference monetary and in-kind donations make in the lives of our foster families.
Learn MoreThe Contra Costa Foster Friends Resource Center
A place where foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers can pick up many essential items to help care for their current foster and adopted children, all at no charge!
Learn MoreConnection for Foster Families
Meeting other foster families who are on the same journey is a key component of fostering successfully long-term. Here are three ways for foster families to get connected.
Learn MoreTeam
Claudia Mercier
President
Claudia has a Master's degree in Social Work from UCLA and has been a licensed foster parent for 16 years. She has a large family of seven children who were born, fostered and adopted into her family. After fostering for 10 years without much help, Claudia founded the Contra Costa Foster Friends with the goal of keeping foster doors open by providing families with much needed support. Claudia also works closely with Help One Child, running their monthly support group in Walnut Creek and providing occasional foster parent continuing education classes.
Mike Mercier
Treasurer
Mike has a Master's degree in Business Administration from UCLA and worked for 30 years in the Commercial Real Estate Industry. He is married to Claudia and as he is now retired he is able to help manage their large family and assist in running Contra Costa Foster Friends. He has also been a devoted, loving foster parent for 16 years.
Julie Erwin
Secretary
Julie's heart for foster children led her to become a CASA 12 years ago and she was able to mentor 2 children through this program. It was such a memorable experience for her. After serving as a CASA she felt called to love on and support foster families and began a Foster/Adopt Ministry at her church. Just a short time later she met Claudia and the two combined their passion and together built Contra Costa Foster Friends. Julie is excited to continue the wonderful world of supporting foster families!
Haley Calabrese
Foster Village Co-Leader
Haley is a loving mother with 1 son and has been a devoted county foster mom for the past 4 years. She has welcomed 10 children into her home and has a gift for creating strong relationships with bio family members. She serves as co-leader of the Contra Costa Foster Friends Facebook Group, together with Claudia.
Contact
- 367 Civic Drive #7, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA