Welcome to 2026

Welcome to 2026

Welcome to a new year with Foster SQUAD! As we step into 2026, our team has finally caught its breath after another meaningful Operation Santa season and is already looking ahead to what’s next. While we’ve been a little quiet since Operation Santa, we’ve also been busy. Late last year, we made an exciting—and very big—step forward: Foster SQUAD moved into our very own office.

This decision didn’t come lightly. For years, we operated out of our basements, shared spaces, and storage units—doing everything we could to keep overhead low while meeting growing needs. But as Foster SQUAD has grown, it became clear that we needed a space of our own to better serve foster families and build for the future.

Our new office gives us room to dream and room to grow. From hosting foster parent trainings and partner meetings to “Crafting for a Cause” fundraisers, this space opens the door to new ways of supporting families. And come this winter, it will once again transform into something magical—our very own Operation Santa North Pole HQ.

Our office is located across the parking lot from the Four Oaks office in Ankeny. When this space became available, it felt like more than a coincidence—it felt like an opportunity to turn this corner of Ankeny into a true support hub for foster families. A place where families can find multiple agencies working together, side by side, to support them well.

Of course, having a building does change our budget. Since 2019, we’ve worked intentionally to keep our operating costs as low as possible, many of us serving as volunteers for years. As we continue to grow, we’ve realized that investing in Foster SQUAD is also an investment in the families we serve. Planting roots means foster families don’t have to wonder if we’ll still be here in a few years. It means we’re committed for the long haul.

As we begin this new chapter, we’d love your help in a few meaningful ways:

First, please join us for our Open House and Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, March 3. We’d love to welcome you into our new space, share how it’s being used, and give you a tangible picture of how we’re supporting foster families every day. (See more in our Open House article.)

Second, if you feel called to do so, we invite you to support our “Growing Together” Capital Campaign. While operational expenses aren’t always the most exciting thing to fund, this building is far more than walls and a roof. It’s home to our care kits and eQuip Hub, a gathering place for training and connection, and a space where we advocate for kids in foster care to have the same opportunities as their peers. Your support ensures a foster parent can receive a care kit when a child arrives, and helps us advocate for teens in foster care to overcome barriers to driver’s education and getting their driver’s license—barriers that too often stand between them and independence.

Last, if you’re part of a community group, church, workplace, or organization that welcomes nonprofit speakers, we would love the opportunity to visit with your group. Sharing Foster SQUAD’s impact—and helping others better understand what foster care looks like in Iowa—is an important part of building awareness, support, and lasting change.

Fundraising is never my favorite part of leading Foster SQUAD—but believing deeply in this mission makes the ask easier. My hope is to raise enough support early this year so our team can stay focused on what matters most: walking alongside foster families and the children in their care.

Whether financial support is something you’re able to offer this year or not, please know how grateful we are for you. Thank you for being part of our community, for sharing our mission, and for helping tell these important stories. We truly couldn’t do this work without you.

With gratitude,

Traci

2026.02 Newsletter.pdf

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