Contra Costa Foster Friends

​​​​Contra Costa Foster Friends provides critical and ongoing support to foster children and their caregivers in Contra Costa County.  The heart of our operation is our Resource Center, a brick and mortar “store” located in Pleasant Hill full of essential items for local youth in care, all at no charge to them. Foster children often arrive with only an hour or two notice and with only the clothes they are wearing. It is our sincere desire that these precious youth are well provided for during their time in care. We rely on donations from the community to keep our center stocked and are so grateful for donations of new or excellent condition items. Please join us at our Holiday Open House to tour our beautiful Center and see how you can help local youth in foster care! 
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$ 250

Donation Amount

From donating new or gently used items or shopping our wish lists, to volunteering in our Resource center, volunteers are an essential part of our ability to serve foster children in Contra Costa County.

Shop Our Amazon Wishlists

Shop Our Amazon Wishlists

Not sure what items are most needed? Check out our Amazon wishlist, order on the site, and Amazon will have it shipped directly to us!

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Donate Tangible Items

Donate Tangible Items

We strive to uphold the dignity of all foster children and kindly request all donated items are in new or excellent condition.

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Volunteer

Volunteer

Volunteer in our Resource Center. Email ccfosterfriends@gmail.com for more information.

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Email Updates

Sign up for email updates and stay up-to-date on the needs of our Resource Center and hear about the incredible difference monetary and in-kind donations make in the lives of Contra Costa County youth in foster care.

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The Contra Costa Foster Friends Resource Center

A Resource Center stocked with essential items for children in foster care in Contra Costa County, all at no charge!

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Connection for Foster Families

Meeting other foster families who are on the same journey is a key component of fostering successfully long-term. Here are three ways for foster families to get connected.

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Claudia Mercier

Chief Executive Officer and President

Claudia has a Master's degree in Social Work from UCLA and has been a licensed foster parent for 18 years. She has a large family of seven children who were born or foster/adopted into her family. After fostering for 10 years without much help, Claudia founded Contra Costa Foster Friends with the goal of comprehensively supporting local foster children and their caregivers. Claudia also works closely with Help One Child, running their monthly support group in Walnut Creek and providing occasional foster parent continuing education classes.

Mike Mercier

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Mike has a Master's degree in Business Administration from UCLA and worked for 30 years in the commercial real estate Industry. He is married to Claudia and as he is now retired he is able to help manage their large family and assist in running Contra Costa Foster Friends. He has also been a devoted, loving foster parent for 18 years.

Julie Erwin

Secretary

Julie's heart for foster children led her to become a CASA 12 years ago and she was able to mentor two children through this program. It was such a memorable experience for her. After serving as a CASA she felt called to love on and support foster families and began a Foster/Adopt Ministry at her church. Just a short time later she met Claudia and the two combined their passion and together built Contra Costa Foster Friends. Julie is excited to continue the wonderful world of supporting foster families!

Haley Calabrese

Contra Costa Foster Friends Board Member

Haley is a loving mother with one son and has been a devoted county foster mom for the past five years. She has welcomed 10 children into her home and has a gift for creating strong relationships with bio family members. She serves as co-leader of the Contra Costa Foster Friends Facebook Group, together with Claudia.

Colleen Holsinger

Board member, Community Engagement

Colleen is the hard working Mom of 3 amazing grown ups. She lives and works in Martinez for the Chamber of Commerce. She has been in Martinez for 26 years. She enjoys reading , party planning, traveling and taking care of foster babies. “To help the babies is truly a calling from God.”

  • 367 Civic Drive #7, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA