A Sun City West resident assisting another nonprofit made the decision to come alongside and serve.
Vonnie Bayard formed Fostering Hearts In Our Community as a way to continue to ease the difficult transition Arizona’s foster youth face as they age out of foster care.
“I started making these duffel bags in attempt to help OCJ Kids. This need already existed and we are helping take it to another level to get more bags down,” she said.
Bayard said as Fostering Hearts has grown, they have reached more organizations and partners and continue to give to OCJ Kids. She said 360 bags are going to the Department of Child Safety.
Northern Arizona University and Grand Canyon University also have programs. At GCU, those in the Fostering Futures program, students who came out of the foster system can get meals, housing and education.
Fostering Hearts provides essential care kits, which come in various sizes and include items in the categories of bed linens, bath essentials, hygiene and kitchen items.
“We need more people involved and unless someone has come out of the system here in Sun City West we are in a bubble, and the rest of the West Valley is facing these circumstances,” said Bayard.
She said working alongside these other organizations allows them to focus on other needs foster youth has.
The organization is growing and looking for new board members, volunteers and sponsors.
Currently, Bayard takes 20 starter kits to two churches in Sun City West and returns two months later to pick up the filled started kits. She said 90% of the money raised goes to foster youth and the organization is run solely by volunteers. Distribution of the bags happens once a year and the organization continues to make more.
Last year, 478 kits were given out to partner organizations, with 248 delivered in 2024.
“The people here want to give and are very generous with strong values, (but) when they see organizations with the administration of 45% they are adverse to that,” said Bayard.
She said when residents hear about Fostering Hearts and how much money goes directly to youth, they are eager to fill a bag and head out shopping.
Email fosteringhearts.info@gmail.com or call 623-252-5523.
Reporter Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
In 2020, Jennifer Jimenez began working for Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA. She began her career as a sports reporter in Peoria and Glendale, covering the very same schools she used to compete at. During this time, she also worked for television news, magazines and sports radio stations.
Community: Jennifer is a member of the Hall of Fame at Peoria High School where she graduated in 2001, alongside her father Joe Hernandez. She serves youth soccer players as a pro-trainer and coach.
Education: Grand Canyon University 2005 B.A. Liberal Arts
Ranom Fact: She has a street named after her in south Peoria “Jennifer Rose Court.”
Hobbies: Country dancing, coaching soccer, teaching private swim lessons and running are things she does for fun.
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