Upbring

It's time to change the lens and focus on what really matters: the wellbeing of our children.✨ Join us in our mission to nurture the wellbeing of every Texas child. Your support helps build a future where every child thrives. Watch our latest brand spot and see how you can make an impactful difference. 👇 #ChildWellbeing #ChangeTheLens

Point of Grace Lutheran Church in Pflugerville and First Lutheran Church in San Marcos kindly hosted Friendsgiving events for our BeREAL young adults. These gatherings provided a home-cooked thanksgiving meal, takeaway bags, and most importantly, a welcoming space for connection and belonging during the holiday season. Upbring’s BeREAL program empowers young adults transitioning out of foster care by providing housing support, mentorship, education planning and life skills development. Events like these remind them that they are never alone and have a community cheering for their success every step of the way. We're truly grateful to everyone who made these gatherings possible and for creating special holiday memories for our young adults. 🤎

As we reflect on what we’re thankful for this season, our hearts are full of gratitude for the incredible people who make our work possible.🧡 To our Upbring Warriors, volunteers, donors and community partners—your dedication and generosity enables us to impact the lives of over 13,000 children and families across Texas each year. Thank you for believing in our mission and standing with us as we work to advance child wellbeing. 🙌

We’re Hiring in Corpus Christi! 🚨 As we prepare to open our newest Upbring Head Start Preschool location in Nueces County, Texas this January, we're searching for passionate professionals dedicated to empowering children and families through education and support services. Key roles we are hiring for include: Education Coach, Special Programs Specialist, Family Engagement Advocate, Eligibility Recruitment Selection Enrollment and Attendance Specialist, and more! Explore all the open opportunities today and apply today: https://bit.ly/3YZiVP2 Why join us? 💬 As Darrell Cox, Ed.D., Executive Director of Education at Upbring, explains: "At Upbring Head Start Preschool, the work we do is vital in shaping the wellbeing of every child who walks through our doors. Each day, we provide a nurturing environment where children receive the care and education they need to grow, learn and thrive. Our commitment to early childhood education ensures that every child, regardless of their background, can reach their full potential, setting them on a path toward a bright and promising future.” Learn more about Upbring Head Start's program expansion into Nueces County: https://bit.ly/4fKglUj

The spirit of giving is alive and well at Upbring! This month, our headquarters team and volunteers came together for our Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive—collecting and delivering nonperishable food items to benefit the St. John's Community Center Food Pantry.🥫 A heartfelt thank you to Thrivent for their generous financial support and donation of shirts for our staff and volunteers. Your partnership helps us make a meaningful impact in our community this holiday season. #ThanksgivingGiving #GivingBack #CommunitySupport

Today, on #NationalAdoptionDay, we’re honored to spotlight the inspiring journey of the Vasquez family. 🤍 Sydney, a second-grade teacher, and Derek, a high school band director, have dedicated their lives to empowering children through education. When it came time to start their own family, doctors advised Sydney not to have biological children due to a health condition. That led them to explore foster-to-adoption through Upbring. This path aligned perfectly with their shared dream of giving children a loving and stable home. Just before Christmas 2021, they received a call about three young siblings—Braxton (5), Indee (3) and Malikiah (2)—who had been removed from their home due to unsafe living conditions. Without hesitation, Sydney and Derek opened their hearts and home. “The minute the children got out of the SUV, I just felt a connection,” Derek shares. Less than a year later, in September 2022, the siblings’ adoption was finalized, making the Vasquezes a forever family. Their story is a powerful reminder of how foster-to-adoption can transform lives, both for the children and the families who welcome them. This #NationalAdoptionMonth, we celebrate families like the Vasquezes and encourage others to learn more about the life-changing impact of fostering and adoption. 💖 Interested in fostering or adopting? Learn more about Upbring Foster In Texas: https://bit.ly/3Cqc9tZ 💝 Want to make a difference in a child's life? Donate to support Upbring programs that help find children forever homes: https://bit.ly/3AHo8TG

This holiday season you can bring hope to children and families across Texas.🎄 Through Upbring’s Hope in Motion Holiday Season campaign, we’re helping over 700 children and families in our programs feel supported, valued and cared for during this special time of year. Ways you can get involved:  ✨ Donate to support life-changing programs that provide stability and care year-round. ✨ Shop a child’s wish list to help make their Christmas magical. ✨ Volunteer your time to help wrap gifts. ✨ Share this message to inspire others in your network to give. Every act of generosity helps make this season brighter for those who need it most. Learn more and join us: https://bit.ly/3AHo8TG.

This year's Upbring Golf tournament at BlackHorse Golf Club was one to remember! ⛳️ With over 100 golfers, 23 volunteers and the support of various community sponsors, we raised more than $75,000 to support the children and families we serve in the Houston area. Shelby Mallett, our Director of Special Events, shared this heartfelt message: "Thank you to the entire Houston community for coming together to support the children and families we serve in this area! From sponsoring, to golfing, to donating lunch, supplies or raffle items, your generous contributions are making a difference in a child’s life. It makes me so happy to see golfers come back year after year and share their stories of their involvement with Upbring as well as share those stories with our newcomers each year. I’m so proud of the work we’re doing together and of the Houston area for continually supporting us in our effort to break the cycle of child abuse." This event reminded us of Houston's incredible heart for its children. Thank you for your generosity and dedication to child wellbeing! 👏 #UpbringGolf #UpbringGolfHouston

Meet the Smith Family, who created a forever home for little Zay. 💕   Chris and Hailey Smith joined Upbring Foster In Texas, inspired by their backgrounds and a deep desire to help children. Hailey, a pediatric nurse practitioner, could see the impact of neglect and abuse firsthand. And Chris, who grew up in a family that fostered dozens of children, understood the system and felt called to open his own home to a child in need.   In early 2022, they were matched with 4-month-old Alize, or “Zay,” the youngest of 13 siblings, who had been removed from her birth family’s home because of neglect and her mother’s substance use. Though they hadn’t planned to adopt, their bond with Zay grew, and they knew they couldn’t let her return to an unstable situation. With Upbring’s help, they petitioned the court for custody in 2023, and Zay officially became a Smith.   Today, Zay is thriving, her days filled with family adventures and joyful memories—allowing her to live out a happy, healthy childhood. “We are grateful every day for our foster journey so far, and especially that it brought us our daughter,” says Hailey. “She is the best addition to our family, and we could never imagine what life would look like without her.”   The Smith family’s story is one of resilience and compassion, made possible through Upbring Foster In Texas. 💡Learn more about becoming a foster parent: https://bit.ly/3Cqc9tZ 🎄 Make a child's holiday season special through Upbring Hope In Motion Holiday Season: https://bit.ly/3AHo8TG #NationalAdoptionMonth #ChildWellbeing #FosterInTexas

In honor of National Adoption Month, we’re celebrating the remarkable families who open their hearts and homes to children in need through Upbring.   ✨ Meet the Carlin Family! ✨   Cameron and Joanna Carlin have been closely connected with Little People of America, Inc. (LPA) since their biological daughter Haddie, who has achondroplasia dwarfism, was 6 months old. When the couple expressed interest in expanding their family and providing another child with dwarfism with a loving home, the LPA connected them with Upbring Foster In Texas. With our team’s guidance, they began the foster-to-adopt process and welcomed Hailyn into their home in July 2021. By May 2022, Hailyn officially became a Carlin. With their unique set of skills and a deep understanding of Hailyn’s needs, the Carlins have provided her with the specialized medical care, stability and unconditional love she needs to thrive. 🤍 The Carlins’ story reflects the heart of our Foster In Texas program which connects children with families who can provide compassion, safety and support to children and help them heal from trauma. 💡Discover how you can be part of our mission this holiday season: https://bit.ly/3AP1LeN