Each November, Jewish Family Services partners with WTVR CBS 6 for “A Hand to Hold,” a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about children and teens in Central Virginia’s foster care system who are waiting for a permanent, loving family.

Over the course of the month, CBS 6 will highlight the personal stories of youth in foster care whose resilience and potential often go unseen.

For some viewers, these stories may be familiar faces. For others, they may be a first glimpse into the life of a child who could benefit from their care. The goal of the campaign is to inspire individuals, couples and families to become part of a young person’s journey, whether as foster parents, adoptive families, respite providers or mentors.

In Central Virginia, nearly 700 children are in foster care due to circumstances beyond their control. When children are removed from their homes, there are not enough foster families to meet the demand, and many children are placed in group homes or residential facilities. These placements can last for months or even years, leaving children without the consistent support and connection that every young person needs to succeed and thrive.

Teenagers in foster care face some of the greatest challenges. More than half of the children in the system are teens, a group for which finding permanent homes is especially difficult. Roughly 250 young people aged 16 to 21 are at risk of “aging out” of foster care without a stable support system. Statistics paint a sobering picture. Nearly 20 percent of youth who “age out” experience homelessness, half struggle with substance use and only 3 percent earn a college degree. Without intervention, the future for many young people in foster care can feel uncertain and overwhelming.

JFS’ Connecting Hearts program works to change that narrative. By actively recruiting and supporting foster, adoptive and kinship families, the program ensures that every child has access to love, guidance and stability. The impact of one caring adult can be transformative, providing not just a home but a safe space to grow, learn and feel valued. Connecting Hearts emphasizes that it is never too late to make a difference. Whether a family chooses to foster, adopt, mentor or provide respite care, each act of support helps a child move closer to a brighter future.

Beyond individual families, the campaign encourages the broader community to engage. Volunteering, advocacy and mentorship can all play a role in providing children with hope and opportunity. Through “A Hand to Hold,” JFS aims to spark awareness, compassion and action, showing that when the community comes together, it can create meaningful change in the lives of children who need it most.