For the month of May, 10 News has teamed up with HopeTree Family Services to bring awareness, bust common foster myths and give resources to those who are looking to support the cause.

From the realities of the foster care system to the families opening their homes to children in need, 10 News spent the month of May working to debunk common myths about foster care and highlight the growing need in the Roanoke Valley.

May is National Foster Care Month, and 10 News is partnering with HopeTree Family Services to launch a new series called “Foster Facts.”

Foster families across the Roanoke Valley are invited to a special event this weekend aimed at celebrating their impact and bringing the community together.

Throughout the month of May, WSLS and HopeTree Family Services are working to spotlight the need for foster families and challenge misconceptions about the system.

At 11, Emilio is a kid who brings a mix of humor, creativity and sharp observation to nearly everything he does.

At 11, Emilio is a kid who brings a mix of humor, creativity and sharp observation to nearly everything he does.

Eli, Elijah and Joshua are three sweet, fun-loving brothers who share a deep bond and an even deeper hope: finding a family they can call their own.

James is an intelligent 16-year-old with a big heart and a love for life.

Sixteen-year-old Lili is a kind and artistic teen whose creativity spills into every part of her life.

Seventeen-year-old Wynter is known for her laid-back charm and easy sense of humor.

Fifteen-year-old twins Jordan and Steven share more than a birthday — they share a deep love and appreciation for one another.

Daniel is known for his generosity, kindness, and big heart.

For 13-year-old Jayden, life is all about exploring his interests, helping others, and finding joy in the little things.

Natalie is known for her big heart, loyalty, and sense of humor.

Thirteen-year-old Thomas, “Tommy” for short, may be shy at first, but behind his quiet nature is a sharp mind and a creative spirit.

There are more than 5,000 children in Virginia’s foster care system and many of them carry their belongings in trash bags.

“Decisions made by agency leadership... were contrary to state law, regulation, and policy.”

CarePortal celebrated its fifth anniversary in Bedford, Va., on March 28. The event brought together various stakeholders, including churches, social workers and nonprofits, to reflect on the progress made since the platform’s launch in 2020.

We took many of your questions to people who see it every day from judges to social workers.

It’s called “relief of custody.” Hundreds of these cases have been filed in just the past five years.

Parents, voluntarily giving up their kids. It’s a huge problem in Virginia.

Understanding ‘relief of custody’ crisis and the creative support models giving hope to struggling families

For the first time ever, we had a dozen kids who had been on 30 Days of Hope in previous years.

“I’m just really looking forward to getting adopted by a family.”

Marie wants what every kid does -- stability, love and someone to lean on.

“Belonging to me probably looks like being able to settle down in one place, being able to feel comfortable.”

17-year-old Kay loves science, playing basketball and cooking with family

A teen who has expressed that he wants nothing more than “a family to go home to.”

“My number one priority is to get adopted and to stay in one place.”

The teen is looking forward to finding a family to call her own.

“What I hope for in a family is support, love and just have a good connection”

Less than a year after moving in, Kaylee was officially adopted in October.

He is eager to be involved with a family who is active and busy.

“She loves giving hugs and she loves being in that family context.”

Michael describes his ideal family as one that enjoys being outside and doing projects.

The 12-year-old has a contagious laugh and loves to sing.

A 7-year-old who loves trucks, monster trucks, coloring, and the color red.

He’s looking for a family to have fun with him.

Crisis in Virginia as parents seek ‘relief of custody’. 10 News investigates as a group is working to find solutions.

Leyem loves to laugh. He also wants to be part of a forever family.

15-year-old Maddie wants to find a family who will love her and stick by her.

The 10-year-old wants routine things in a family like family dinners and going to school regularly.

He would love to stay busy with a family and loves any games that involve strategy.

Mentors and kids in foster care build trust, heal trauma along riverbank.

Mentors and kids in foster care build trust and heal trauma along the riverbank.

DePaul Community Resources is getting money to help keep children out of foster care.

When he grows up he wants to be a therapist so he can help people and support children in foster care.

The 14-year-old likes basketball, running, outdoor activities, and playing card games.

He wants a family that will protect him and give him love.

The teen loves God, cooking, and being outside. “Family means everything to me,” he said.

When it comes to a family, Josh says he would like, “A nice family who (will) take me in, to adopt me and keep me, and makes sure I’m safe.”

The 14-year-old would love a family with a dog or a family where they can adopt a dog.

Bentley is always making others laugh. This 13-year-old is outgoing and smart.

The 13-year-old loves being outside and football.

Savannah likes being outside, going on walks and hikes in parks and through the woods.

Toni has a bubbly personality and loves to sing and dance.

The teen wants to be a foster mom or doctor when she grows up.

A little girl who is affectionate, loving and wants a family to call her own.

We told you about Kate last year during 30 Days of Hope and this year, she’s still looking for a family.

Kyle loves being outside so much, he wishes the sun would never go down.

“He tells me all the time, he just wants to be labeled as a normal kid, not a foster kid.”

Roanoke City, Lynchburg and Roanoke County are some of the top 10 areas with the most children in foster care

Cost, marital status and more answered.

Imagine being in the foster care system and turning 18 and suddenly finding yourself on your own for the first time. Becoming an adult can be overwhelming for anybody, but especially teens leaving foster care.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and the need for foster parents is greater than ever.

HopeTree's Titmus Cottage has helped over a dozen foster children avoid sleeping in offices at the Department of Social Services.

There are almost 50 kids in foster care in Wythe County, but a few local organizations are working to support these families in more ways than one.

Judges found a way to ensure kids are being heard before life-changing decisions are made for their families. One of the ways they’re doing it is with a goldfish in the courtroom.

All these kids had one wish - for a family to adopt them and love them.

A teen that loves card games and the outdoors but has a big hole to fill, wanting a mom and dad.

The state agency tasked with investigating complaints involving children in foster care is “very concerned” with the number of children born substance-exposed that die within six months of birth.

Finding a family is something the 10-year-old wishes for.

Jeobany said his ideal family would be active and enjoy exercising

“Throughout my whole history of life, I haven’t felt love, real love,” he said.

Social workers say having kids close is better for them and their families.

“A grown up is supposed to take care of you, help you, just be there for you.”

Keeping social workers is a challenge across Virginia. There’s a lot of turnover at many department of social services offices.

“I want to be in a family really, really bad and I just want to be supported through my future,” said Lily.

“I love the farm life,” said the 14-year-old.

She wants a family who will love her and encourage her.

He wants parents that are, “active with me, going out to places, getting ice cream and doing stuff.”

What Malachi really hopes for is a dad – a strong, consistent, and loving male figure– but he also has an open heart to having a mom.

Lynchburg and Roanoke County are also in the top 10 locations for the most kids in foster care.

The teen loves being outside, school, cooking and hanging out with friends.

She’s an excellent student with big goals of going to UVA and medical school.

"I’ve never really had someone caring for me growing up so I would like to have that, have a mother figure and a father figure.”

“A big ‘wish’ for me is to finally find the right family for me.”

Starting Friday, the Montgomery County Department of Social Services is taking donations for New River Valley kids in foster care.

He’s looking for a family to have fun with him!

“All I’ve ever wanted was a normal life. Just living in a normal house, normal neighborhood.”

Her dream day would just include “having a good day and being happy.”

“I want to belong in a family because I just want to be cared for.”

An exciting update on one of the very first kids we showed you the year we started 30 Days of Hope in 2017.

“My goal is to be a construction worker when I grow up”

He eventually wants to be a firefighter so he can save people.

“I just want to belong in a family because I wasn’t treated right in my family.”

“Everyone deserves happiness and a family and I feel like it’s my turn”

He loves to be outdoors more than anything.

Savannah is a hard worker and has great determination to see projects through.