It’s Cool to Be Kind

by Laura Breen Galante

In Florida, statistics show that more than 20,000 children are currently living in foster care. Altamonte Springs resident Alison Spalding has made it her mission in life to show kindness to as many of those kids as possible.

Alison is the founder and CEO of Fostering Kindness, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has served upward of 3,000 kids in foster care across seven Florida counties since 2021.

The organization provides comfort bags to children just entering foster care, birthday gifts for teens, birthday parties for those in group homes, feminine hygiene kits, holiday and graduation gifts, back-to-school backpacks, and more.

Previously, Alison worked as a case manager for a community-based care lead agency in St. Johns County. Her idea for a Christmas gift donation program for teen girls living in a group home led to the launch of Fostering Kindness.

“Most people forget about teens when it comes to holiday giving,” says Alison, who wants to change that mindset.

Alison asked for donations via a Facebook post, and the response was incredible, allowing her to shower the girls with meaningful presents. That was in 2020, and by January 2021, Fostering Kindness was established and serving Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.

Providing Comfort and Joy 

In 2022, Alison relocated to Seminole County, where she now collaborates with Family Partnerships of Central Florida, a community-based care lead agency that serves Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Brevard counties. Through that agency, about 50 of Alison’s comfort bags are delivered per month to kids entering foster care for the first time or moving to another location in the system.

The comfort bags (duffel bags or backpacks) include items such as soft blankets, satin pillowcases, deodorant, stuffed animals, journals, fuzzy socks, night-lights, backpacks, fidget toys, and toothpaste. The goal is to make sure children and teens receive the comfort bags either the same day or within 24 hours of coming into foster care.

Alison also works with Guardian ad Litem volunteers in Seminole County to coordinate delivery of comfort bags to kids in group home settings. And recently, Fostering Kindness began a partnership with Boys Town Central Florida, located in Oviedo.

All items given to kids in foster care are brand-new and received through donations from generous community partners. In 2024 alone, Fostering Kindness received $150,000 from corporate partnerships and in-kind donations, often through the organization’s wish list on Amazon.

Christina Madden, mentor program manager at Family Partnerships of Central Florida, says working with Fostering Kindness is a pleasure – especially when it comes to celebrating milestones.

“Alison’s commitment to making our youth feel special on their 18th birthdays is unmatched,” says Christina. “The thought and care she puts into curating each gift is inspiring; every detail reflects her compassion. When I get to deliver a birthday gift from Fostering Kindness to a young person on their special day, it feels like a gift for me, too.”

Feeling Seen and Heard

For kids in foster care, birthdays can hold a lot of disappointment. Some have never even celebrated a birthday.

Michael Perry, 18, was formerly in foster care in the Orlando area and is now living on his own in Gainesville. He knows firsthand how it feels to go without a birthday celebration and is grateful to Alison for remembering him on his special day.

“Mrs. Alison is truly one of the sweetest souls I know,” says Michael. “I want every foster kid to be able to feel deserving of love and at least get something for their birthday. Mrs. Alison goes the extra mile.”

In addition to providing birthday boys and girls with personalized gifts – based on their favorite colors, hobbies, and interests – Fostering Kindness also hosts birthday parties for kids in group homes. 

“All of the kids get party favor bags, and we do decorations,” says Alison. “We make it a big group activity where everyone is involved. Before we do the gifts, we go around the room, and everybody tells the birthday kiddo their favorite thing about them. It’s become a real connection piece.”

Alison makes it a point to attend the birthday parties year after year, herself, because consistency is important for the kids. They look forward to seeing her and have even become comfortable making birthday requests.

“It brings me so much joy,” says Alison. “It’s what they deserve. They need to remember the feeling that they were celebrated and seen.”