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By Shannon Enoch, Executive Director of Programs
Season’s greetings! As we enter the holiday season, I want to pause and say how deeply grateful I am for each of you. This time of year can be joyful, busy, emotional, and sometimes overwhelming — especially for children and teens navigating the complexities of foster care. Yet time and time again, you show up with patience, creativity, compassion, and a willingness to love in ways that truly change lives. From the late-night wrapping and extra seats you make at your table, to the traditions you gently adapt for a child’s comfort and the countless ways you create “belonging” during a season that can feel uncertain for many kids, your heart and your dedication do not go unnoticed.
The winter holidays offer a unique opportunity to slow down and reconnect — not only with your own families, but with children in your care in meaningful ways. Many children in foster care have complicated relationships with holidays. Memories may be mixed, or traditions may look very different from what they’ve experienced in your home. It can take sensitivity and preparation. By inviting children into your traditions, while also making space for theirs, you’re helping create a holiday season that communicates safety, acceptance, and love.
Throughout this season, I encourage you to explore traditions together, both new and familiar. Something as simple as choosing ornaments, lighting candles, decorating cookies, or reading a holiday story before bed can become grounding rituals. Ask what traditions matter to them. Invite them to share something special from their culture, family, or faith background. Even if they’re unsure, your openness sends a powerful message: your story matters here.
If this is your first holiday season as a foster family, please know you don’t have to make everything perfect. What children remember most are the moments of connection, not the moments of perfection. Cozy evenings, shared laughter, and the simple act of being present make the deepest impact. If you’ve been fostering for years, you already know how much these rituals shape children’s sense of home — even if they are only with you for a season. Thank you for welcoming children into your celebrations in ways that are thoughtful, trauma-informed, and anchored in love.
Finally, please take care of you as well. Rest when you can. Reach out if you need support. Celebrate the small wins, savor the quiet moments, and know that you are making a profound difference every single day. I’m grateful for you — this month and always.
If you need something this holiday season, whether it is support or access to resources, please reach out to your placement specialist. CHS is here to support you while you support children who need it most. Our community is stronger because of you — your resilience, your warmth, and your willingness to show up for children who need a safe place during a complex time of year.
Thank you for giving children a season filled with hope, comfort, and belonging. And from all of us at CHS, we wish you a holiday season filled with joy, connection, and the kind of moments that remind you how meaningful this work truly is.
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