As a devoted foster caregiver living in Poway, Sarah has grown used to the late-night and early-morning requests to take in another infant or toddler who has just been removed from home due to abuse or neglect. After each call, Sarah’s household can transform in an instant to support a new child, often one with special needs or dietary sensitivities, for up to three years. She never knows when she might get a call. Now, thanks to a recently opened food pantry and delivery program run by Bithiah’s Family Services in San Marcos, Sarah no longer has to face those chaotic first 24 hours alone. Sometimes within hours of a new arrival, a box of personalized groceries is delivered to her doorstep, ensuring every child is welcomed with care, nourishment, and dignity from the very start.
“Many of these children are on the autism spectrum; you can’t just give them a hot dog and be done with it,” explains Sarah. “What one child eats, another child won’t touch. Having a variety of food items on hand is essential. Bithiah’s has alleviated a lot of stress and has made a lot of kids a lot more comfortable.”
Supported by a $30,000 grant from the San Diego Unity Fund – a San Diego Foundation-led initiative created to stabilize nonprofits during periods of government funding loss – Bithiah’s recently-opened pantry is expanding its supply of essentials, from Go-GURTS and Lunchables to diapers from brands like Huggies and Pampers. What’s more, the Unity Fund grant was matched by another $30,000 grant from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
“We serve any child with an open Department of Children and Family Services case,” said Dyanna Sousa, San Diego Program Manager for Bithiah’s Family Service. “With reductions in SNAP benefits and WIC funding, families are facing a severe shortage of food.”
In the Beginning
Bithiah’s Family Services was founded in Los Angeles County 2014 as Bithiah’s House when educators and foster parents Keith and Michelle Thompson opened a second residence to care for and treat more children at a time. In 2019, the nonprofit expanded to provide not only crisis housing, but also training, support, and resources for those working with children who have experienced trauma throughout Southern California.
Bithiah’s House takes its name from the biblical foster mom and Egyptian princess who rescued and adopted Moses from the Nile. Today, Bithiah’s Family Services comprises Bithiah’s House, a trauma-informed residential program for female transitional age youth that offers comprehensive support, daily programming, and mental health services to ensure holistic care and preparation for independent living; Bithiah’s Heart Retreat, an annual trauma-informed retreat for caretakers and advocates of foster children; and a series of trainings and initiatives ranging from a teen parenting course to a court-approved parent reunification program. In addition, foster parents, such as Sarah, receive supplies for each child they welcome into their home.
Bithiah’s also supports biological parents who still have custody of their children, but have an open Child Protective Services or Department of Children and Family Services case. “A judge may have the parents in a drug program, they may be looking for a job, they may have transportation barriers, they may be unhoused. Whatever it may be, we will work with them,” explains Dyanna.
The SDF grant allows Bithiah’s to increase its weekly distribution by at least 200 trips and expand its food pantry capacity by at least 20%.
Sarah’s Story
Sarah never planned to become a foster parent, but she had always worked in fields caring for children. Her transition into foster care came when an extended family member living in the Central Valley had a child removed from their home and was looking for someone to care for the child. Jurisdictional restrictions kept her from moving forward, but Sarah’s interest was piqued. She attended an orientation with the County of San Diego, submitted an application to begin the Resource Family Approval process, completed background and home environment assessments, and underwent extensive training. Two children were placed in her home in the first year. Eleven others have since followed. Her limit of four children currently live in the home, including a 5-year-old, two 2-year-olds, and a 5-month-old. Stays range anywhere from six months to three years.
“Caring and helping others has always been part of who I am,” says Sarah, who works two jobs, including one with HeadStart and another with a crisis response line. “Personally, my husband and I were not able to have kids. This gave us an opportunity to open our hearts and open our home.”
Having ready access to a variety of food items is essential. “Food banks are amazing, but they only give you what they give you. Bithiah’s provides what the kids want, which makes a big difference when you’re caring for special-needs children.”
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