Congratulations to Caterpillars to Butterflies, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping foster families in Pasco County, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.
The nonprofit was founded by Tracy Hanson, who got her start with foster children advocacy when she began her journey as a Guardian Ad Litem four years ago.
Hanson and her team of volunteers believe every child should have the opportunity to flourish.
Caterpillars to Butterflies’ main mission is to help the foster parents with any needs that will help the child. The nonprofit assists with back-to-school supplies, provides birthday and Christmas gifts for the children, and even helps with the costs of activities/after-school programs/camps that will benefit these children in the pursuit of their dreams and passions.
Through the help of a local church, the nonprofit even offers Parent’s Night Out, where Hanson and her team of volunteers watch all the kids so that the caregivers can have a date night.
“That is something that the foster parents seldom get, so it’s very appreciated,” says Hanson.
The nonprofit also offers a Foster Closet, in Zephyrhills, where the foster parents can immediately go and pick up clothes, shoes and toiletries that the child needs, at no charge. The closet is open by appointment only, and is always accepting donations of gently used clothes; diapers; formula, and more.
When reflecting on Caterpillars to Butterflies, Hanson says the triumphs of each child makes the nonprofit a worthwhile cause.
“When you see a child accomplish something for the first time because somebody believed in them, that is success,” says Hanson.
She recounts success stories like sending kids to basketball and volleyball camps so that scouts would see them for college teams, kids that found their passion in the music/art industry, and even an autistic child that learned to swim on their own.
“I had a child tell me once that ‘You believe in me like no one ever has.’ That is why we do what we do at Caterpillars to Butterflies,” says Hanson.
For more information on Caterpillars to Butterflies and how to support this nonprofit through its various fundraisers throughout the year, go to https://caterflies.org
