Foster parents offer a loving and supportive environment to kids who are unable to live with their biological families—and providing a child with a stable caregiver in a safe home can transform their life. This deeply compassionate act comes with a unique set of challenges that require patience and a strong support system.
That is why in November 2024, Valhalla resident Walter Ritz, along with a group of former foster parents and children, as well as community leaders, launched Sunflower Westchester, a nonprofit to help guide and empower kids and parents in the foster care network, both as a valuable resource for young adults aging out of foster care, and a place where current foster parents can turn to for parental support, respite care, and more.
“Right before the pandemic, my wife Megan and I opened our home to two boys—brothers who were five and eight at the time; it was the toughest thing we ever did, going from zero kids to having two boys, but it was also the best.” Ritz says.
“The experience exposed me to the foster care system in general, and I became inspired to form an organization in Westchester County for kids and parents.” The name Sunflower comes from a Post Malone song that Ritz and his foster boys bonded over—and because the flower symbolizes strength and resilience.
At Sunflower, programs are available to provide educational support and mentorship to young people along their journeys. “We’ve connected with an organization in L.A. called Foster Nation, to help us develop curriculum and offer guidance on a program we call ‘Sparks,’” Ritz explains. “It is a six-month program that teaches independent living skills, preparing them for life as adults. Every kid gets a mentor to guide them through it.” As the organization grows, it has plans to offer programs for children of all ages who have had contact with the foster care system.
Sunflower of Westchester
Click here for info about becoming a foster parent.
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