Foster Friends
Providing essential items and critical, wraparound support to youth in foster care and their caregivers in Contra Costa County.
About Us
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 an essential part of our ability to serve foster children in Contra Costa County.
Shop Our Resource Center Essentials Wishlists
Help us keep our Resource Center stocked with essential items for youth in foster care. We are so grateful for all donations!
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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.
Learn MoreWhat we Do
Email Updates
Sign up for email updates and stay up-to-date on the needs of our Resource Center and hear about the incredible difference monetary and in-kind donations make in the lives of Contra Costa County youth in foster care.
Learn MoreThe Contra Costa Foster Friends Resource Center
A Resource Center stocked with essential items for children in foster care in Contra Costa County, 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
Chief Executive Officer and President
Claudia has a Master's degree in Social Work from UCLA and has been a licensed foster parent for 18 years. She has a large family of seven children who were born or foster/adopted into her family. After fostering for 10 years without much help, Claudia founded Contra Costa Foster Friends with the goal of comprehensively supporting local foster children and their caregivers. 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
Chief Financial Officer and 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 18 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 two 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
Contra Costa Foster Friends Board Member
Haley is a loving mother with one son and has been a devoted county foster mom for the past five 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.
Colleen Holsinger
Board member, Community Engagement
Colleen is the hard working Mom of 3 amazing grown ups. She lives and works in Martinez for the Chamber of Commerce. She has been in Martinez for 26 years. She enjoys reading , party planning, traveling and taking care of foster babies. “To help the babies is truly a calling from God.”
Contact
- 367 Civic Drive #7, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA
Resources
For Foster Parents
Opportunity Fund
A scholarship fund to help pay for enriching extracurricular activities for current youth in foster care in Contra Costa County.
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