Foster Friends is a club aimed toward students in foster care who don’t have access to all the resources that are needed for the school year.

Foster Friends was started by sophomores Carli Katz and Mandy Schoen with sponsor, social studies teacher Nia. Cresham. Katz and Schoen felt a passion for starting this club because they wanted to give back to the community and had free time during quarantine to get it started.“My mom did something similar in her high school and told me about it and right away I knew that I wanted to start this club and carry on the tradition at Wootton,” Katz said.

They are working with the National Center for Children and Families, a foster center, located in Bethesda. Students can join this club and assist them in tutoring elementary through middle school students. SSL hours will be earned for tutoring.

Due to COVID-19, they will be doing Zooms with the students in an office hours format. The Zooms will take place after school twice a week to ensure that the students are getting the help they need.

This club ensures that foster care students can get to as close as an equal educational opportunity as possible. If the students feel that they need more help, they can email Katz and Schoen, and organize a Zoom with either them or other club members. “I have worked with organizations similar to this one, and I love working with children. I care a lot about protecting children and giving them access to everything they need, whether it’s food, clothes, or any other household item. When Carli and Mandy approached me for being a sponsor I immediately said yes and knew I wanted to partake,” Cresham said.

Foster Friends holds a meeting for the club members once a week to go over the news for the week, before the tutoring sessions. Students who are a part of the club sign up for Zoom calls to tutor the students. It is encouraged to go at least once a week but not mandatory. There is a sign up for both foster students and club’s students. “I’ve been looking for a way that I can make a difference and give back to the community and people less fortunate than me. I am glad that I am able to start a club and give back to people who are less fortunate than me and inspire other students,” Schoen said.

When the world goes back to normal, the club will try to start in-person tutoring. They will find drivers to go to the foster care center and get hands-on teaching. This will create a bond between the children and club members.

The club will start as soon as possible and they are aiming for late September. If anyone is interested in joining the club you can by contacting Katz and Schoen at 202-744-2173 and coming to the club expo.