Our heart is to support families and children within the child welfare system.
This includes foster, adoptive, kinship caregivers, and reunified families.
Children's Lantern works diligently to provide tangible and needed resources to the families we serve, as well as providing support by way of connecting with children and caregivers through activities, events, and emotional support on a continual basis.
WHAT WE DO?
Hope Closet
Being a foster, adoptive, or kinship caregiver can be overwhelming at times. We understand the demands on time, money, and resources can be great when caring for children in the welfare system. Children's Lantern provides items free of charge through our Hope Closet.
At Hope Closet, youth & their caregivers are encouraged to shop for needed items which may include new pajamas, shoes, socks, underwear, diapers/wipes, hygiene items, and gently used or new seasonal clothing. Through our boutique-themed setup, we aim to boost a child's confidence & self esteem as they "shop" for the essentials in a quiet and welcoming environment. We strive to let our children know they are so loved, cared for, and known.
Have an emergency placement or just not able to come up and shop? We understand! Contact us with your current needs and we will gather available items and arrange for pickup.
We also host an annual Back to School Bash where children receive new backpacks, school supplies, shoes, and haircuts - absolutely free.
In the event that we are not able to fulfill a request for crucial clothing/hygiene items, we are able to give out gift cards on an as-needed basis.
WEIGHTED BLANKETS
A weighted blanket is to give the feeling of "being hugged" when wrapped in one, which is also called deep pressure touch stimulation. This is very helpful for individuals that have experienced trauma, have sensory needs, or special needs indicating the need for deep pressure touch stimulation. We are blessed to be able to offer these blankets to those in need!
All of our weighted blankets are handmade by volunteers pouring their love and prayers into the whole process - purchasing material, washing and ironing material, cutting and sewing material, and assembling the blankets with poly beads.
Our weighted blankets are available in weight increments of 3lbs, 5lbs, 8lbs, and 10lbs. When choosing a size, it is recommended that the blanket weight be 10% of the person's body weight. Currently, we offer these to children in foster care, kinship care, those adopted, and reunifying families. We also offer them to the trafficking survivors.
Fill out application for a weighted blanket.
Kinship Lantern of hope
Kinship Lantern of Hope serves kinship care families though partnership with the Defiance County Area Schools and funding from United Way of Defiance County. The Kinship Lantern of Hope program provides kinship families with specific needs as well as basic needs.
Please complete an application for assistance if you are a kinship family.
guiding light scholarship
The Guiding Light Scholarship is a program that was created to walk alongside young adults who have aged out of foster care and are navigating life beyond the system, often without the support networks many others rely on.
At Children’s Lantern, we believe no one should step into adulthood alone. This program provides financial assistance paired with relational support, offering both practical help and consistent encouragement during critical seasons of transition.
Scholarship funds may be used for a wide range of needs; however, only up to 3 needs can be chosen at a time. Some of the potential needs can include but are not limited to:
College textbooks or tuition-related expenses
Vocational or trade training materials
Rent assistance during a difficult season
License fees
Car repairs or transportation costs
Work uniforms or employment-related supplies
Technology needed for school or work
Housing deposits or utilities
Emergency or unexpected needs
In addition to financial support, participants will receive regular check-ins and mentorship-style support from Children’s Lantern. These connections are designed to provide encouragement, accountability, and a trusted relationship—because true hope is built through community, not just resources.
Eligibility Requirements:
Must be between 18 and 25 years old
Must be an aged-out foster youth or have spent time in foster care at any point
Applicants will be asked to share:
Their personal story and why they are applying
The length of time spent in foster care
How the requested support will help them move forward
Their receipts from what the money was used for
program parameters
Each application is capped at $1,000
ONLY 1-3 needs should be included in each application
The application and its acceptance will be determined at the discretion of Children’s Lantern staff
This program reflects our heart to be a village of hope beyond the system—standing with young adults as they build stability, pursue growth, and take confident steps toward their future.