Free Lunch at Public Schools
Foster kids automatically get free lunch. Fill out the form from your school. Check the box stating the child is in foster care.
Aquariums and Museums
NC aquariums and Children's museums have $3 or less admission with an EBT card (including P-EBT cards)
Fishing license in NC
Those who receive Medicaid, Food Stamps or Work First Family Assistance can get a license waiver from the county Department of Social Services and fish for free.
Amazon
Did you know that Amazon will give a discount to foster families? In fact, it’s true (you don’t have to be on government assistance). If you have an adoptive child or long-term foster children who have a Medicaid card then you may apply! As a result, Amazon Prime will be $5.99 a month. Equally important, the discount has a 48-month limit.
One Simple Wish https://www.onesimplewish.org/site/submit-a-wish
Once Upon a Child - Check your local Once Upon a Child Store to see if they offer a discount for foster families. It could range from 10% to 20% discount depending on the location. It’s a fantastic place to build a wardrobe for kids at a great price!
YMCA - Check with your local YMCA for a Free Membership or free lessons for foster families. When you speak with the customer representative just ask for ymca discounts for foster parents or if they offer a ymca foster family discount. Again, it depends on the location but it’s worth looking into.
Bowling
kidsbowlfree.com, lets the kids bowl free all summer at participating bowling alleys. And if you have older kids you can buy a family pass that cover up to 4 people for $40. That's all you have to pay and you get 2 free games per day all summer
Spa Treatments
Glo de Vie Med Spa Is pleased to offer the Foster Family Alliance of NC a 20% discount on all treatments, services and products. Please identify yourself with Foster Family Alliance when booking your appointment(s). Also, please note that this discount is good for regular priced services and cannot be used on top of or in combination with other promotions or discounts that may be in affect at the time of booking.
Glo de Vie Med Spa is a premier med spa located in North Hills area of Raleigh, North Carolina. Our skilled aesthetic experts offer a variety of anti-aging treatments that improve the appearance of the skin on the face and body in a relaxing, friendly environment.
Glo de Vie Med Spa assists clients struggling with fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, stubborn pockets of fat, cellulite, poor muscle tone, and other imperfections achieve the appearance they desire.
Our med spa offers laser therapy, advanced skin correction and tightening, body sculpting using Exilis Ultra™ and Emsculpt® technology, laser hair removal, chemical peels, and consultations with skin analysis. The team also provides cosmetic injectables, facials, and numerous skin rejuvenation procedures to give clients beautiful, younger-looking skin without surgery or downtime.
Glo de Vie Med Spa specialists personalize aesthetic treatments to help maximize anti-aging outcomes. They warmly welcome clients to the med spa and look forward to helping them achieve a vibrant, refreshed, appearance.
Wake County specific -
Soccer Shots in Raleigh provides full scholarships to those currently enrolled in FC and Carolina Swims Fdt works with local swim centers for free lessons for those in FC: https://www.carolinaswimsfoundation.org/
Each center is different in the amount of free lessons or discounts offered.
Mattress Firm - Half priced mattresses for the entire family. Contact your closest Mattress Firm Store. The CEO was a former foster youth. https://www.mattressfirm.com/blog/community-culture/positive-change-through-better-sleep
Charlotte Area Specific resources
Foster Village Charlotte INDEX
Refer to the following pages for details of discounts at each business.
Child Care / Preschool / Before & After School
Covenant Presbyterian Church's Child Development Center (Dilworth)
Gateway Academy Child Development Center (All Charlotte Locations)
Concerts, Movies, & Theater
Charlotte Christian Theatre
Charlotte Symphony
Children’s Theater (at Imaginon)
Food & Drink
Enderly Coffee Shop
Everyday is Sunday
Hawthorne’s New York Pizza & Bar (Carmel Rd)
Gymnastics
Charlotte Allstar Gymnastics & Cheerleading
My Gym (Charlotte)
Perfect Balance
Steps N Motion
CirqU in Concord
Hair Care
Braids by Franche (Carolina Place Mall & Northlake Mall)
Grooming Lounge (Carolina Place Mall)
Pediatric Hair Solutions (Lice Treatment)
Museums & Zoos
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Discovery Place (Science, Nature & Kids)
EdVenture Museum (Columbia, SC)
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro)
Sweetwater Farms (Huntersville, NC)- Adoption and Honoring Goodbyes
Shopping
Mosaic - Style with Love
Once Upon a Child (Pineville)
Soccer
Soccer Shots Charlotte
Swim
The Swim Studio
YMCA
ART & MUSIC
Kindermusik Classes (Music Classes birth-5)
Noah’s Art (Kid’s Art Classes - South Park)
LITERACY & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL
Dolly Parton Imagination Library (free books for kids 0-4yrs)
Generation Mindful (Parenting Resources - Online)
FOSTERing Literacy (free book bundles)
MISCELLANEOUS
Infant Massage Charlotte (Parent Classes)
Roses + Azalea (Organic, non-toxic personal care and beauty products)
A Mother’s Nest Retreat Center
Twenty Two West
CHILD CARE - PRESCHOOL / BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL
Covenant Presbyterian Church's Child Development Center: CovenantPresby.org/childdevelopmentcenter
Covenant Presbyterian Church's CDC is offering childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Operate year-round, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m (Note: These are the modified COVID hours). in their building on their campus in the Dilworth neighborhood, just outside uptown Charlotte. They are reserving 1/4 of all spaces for children requiring financial assistance. These slots will be offered an automatic 25% tuition discount with additional financial assistance available up to 50%. They will begin to take CCR&R vouchers once they are qualified (this has been delayed due to COVID and will likely not happen until 2021).
Gateway Academy Child Development Center (All Charlotte Locations): gatewayacademy.com
Waive registration fee for foster families (usually $100/1 child, $150 for multiple children)
CONCERTS, MOVIES & THEATER
Charlotte Christian Theatre: charlottechristiantheatre.com
Free tickets (to all of our shows) for foster kids and discounts for entire foster families (show license at ticket counter)
Charlotte Symphony: charlottesymphony.org/music-for-all
The Charlotte Symphony is committed to providing our whole community with the opportunity to experience exceptional music, and so we aim to provide access and a welcoming environment for all. Music For All welcomes members of our community on public assistance to attend any Charlotte Symphony concert for $1 per ticket, best-available seating, beginning 1 hour prior to any performance.
Box office and ticket desk employees at any Charlotte Symphony concert will honor a $1 price for up to six tickets per concert when a guest mentions Music For All and presents a valid EBT or WIC card and photo ID.
Children’s Theater of Charlotte (at Imaginon): imaginon.org/childrens-theatre-charlotte
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is one of the nation’s top theatres for families, serving nearly 300,000 people each year with imaginative productions and wide-ranging education offerings for all ages.
Families with EBT cards may be approved for $2 tickets. Each family may request up to six tickets per production. Tickets are for immediate family members of the same household. These reduced-cost tickets are released for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis for each production throughout the season. Once your family is approved, you will receive instruction via email on how to access these tickets online. Your approved application is good for a two-year period.
FOOD & DRINK
Enderly Coffee Shop: enderlycoffee.com
15% every purchase in coffee shop. Just tell them at the counter you’re a foster parent. Has a little small coffee area set up for kids too and it’s near the DSS Freedom Rd. building in case your kids have visitation there.
Everyday Is Sunday: EverydayisSunday03@gmail.com
Ashly, the Owner/Chef of Everyday is Sunday is one of FVC’s local foster parents. She is offering lunch or dinner to local foster families for $35-$40 per meal depending on family size. This price includes a protein, starch, vegetable and dessert as well as delivery in the Charlotte and surrounding areas. Check out her instagram (eischarlotte). You can also email her per the address above or call her at 301-318-0169.
Hawthorne’s New York Pizza & Bar (Carmel Rd): https://hawthornespizza.com/
10% discount, just tell server that you are a foster family with Foster Village Charlotte.
GYMNASTICS
Charlotte Allstar Gymnastics & Cheerleading: charlotteallstars.net
Children currently in foster care can have classes at $40/month (typically $70/month) (discount is not for bios/adopted children in foster homes at this time). Put Foster Village Charlotte in the misc notes when you register, and they will apply the discount. Fall registration will open in August.
Lil’ Bit Fit Time (open gym time) is Monday- Friday from 10:30-12:00pm for Toddlers-TK with parent year-round (this is temporarily unavailable due to COVID, but hope to restart in the fall). This will be FREE for the entire foster family. Please bring a picture of your foster license and let them know you’re with Foster Village Charlotte.
My Gym (Charlotte): https://www.mygym.com/charlotte/
50% off classes (foster kids); 25% off Parents Night Out & Camps (foster kids); Waive min/max weeks & cancellation notice. Code FOSTERVILLAGE.
Perfect Balance: perfectbalancecharlotte.com
25% off the monthly tuition to both the foster children and the biological/adoptive children in a foster home. Use the code “FV2021” to register for 2020-2021 school year class session. Families need to register online and pay the annual registration fee of $60 per child or $90 per family to register. Then, indicate the code in the notes of their registration AND call our front desk staff to be sure the code is confirmed on their account.
Steps N Motion: stepsnmotion.com
Waive annual registration fee; 50% off monthly tuition for full season (Aug-May) for foster children subject to availability. Mention "Foster Village" if registering in person. If registering online, put "Foster Village Family" in the comments box, but note that the office manager manually charges credit cards & applies discounts so the discount will not show up when originally registering online but will be applied manually. This is valid at all three (3) Charlotte area locations.
CirqU in Concord: https://www.cirq-u.com
Aerial silks and Lyra classes that provide children (and their foster family members) 50% off. They also have great family nights!
HAIR CARE
Braids by Franche (Carolina Place Mall & Northlake Mall): https://www.braidsbyfranche.com/
FREE hair services for foster children & discounted hair and skin care products. Appointments must come through Franche in order to get the free service--call her cell phone (704-777-3601) to make the appointment and tell her that you are coming from “Foster Village Charlotte” or book online and put note that you are coming from "Foster Village Charlotte." Appointments must be Mon-Wed at either location, but will need to be coordinated with her schedule.
Grooming Lounge (Carolina Place Mall): https://www.carolinaplace.com/en/directory/grooming-lounge-11376.html
20% off services for foster & bio children. Show licensing or court order papers to receive a discount.
Pediatric Hair Solutions: https://pediatrichairsolutions.com/charlotte-nc/
Pediatric Hair Solutions has donated bottles of their pre-treatment solution to FVC. Contact Traci (traci@fostervillagecharlotte.org) in order to receive a free bottle.
This pre-treatment solution is the first step for treating lice and will kill all live bugs and prevent any spread to other people, pillows, etc. for four (4) days. Within that window, you should contact Pediatric Hair Solutions for further treatment options as follows:
Home Treatment Kit ($85/Family): This kit comes with treatment solution (kills live bugs), a high quality nit comb and an enzymatic mouse that helps loosen the glue that holds the eggs (nits) in place. When used correctly and according to our treatment plan of shampooing and combing every 4 days x4, this is a very effective process with a high success rate. It is also free from harmful chemicals and can be used on any age child and pregnant woman. This package can treat 1-3 family members depending on hair volume and severity of infestation. Additional bottles of treatment solution can be purchased if needed for $10/ bottle.
Flosonix Medical Device Treatment ($165): This treatment uses our medical device to deliver heated air in a timed sequential pattern to dehydrate the lice eggs and eliminate the need for combing/picking eggs out of hair (which can be very difficult for some). This treatment is a 30 minute process and has a 99.2% effectiveness rate. This process does require a pre-shampoo to be performed with our treatment solution to kill any live bugs in the hair. This step ensures there is no possibility of cross contamination in the treatment area. The last step of this process is we come the debris/ empty egg casings out of the hair and patient is lice free.
Full Service Flosonix Treatment ($240): This treatment option is where we do all steps of the process. We apply treatment solution to kill live bugs, shampoo solution out after a 20 minute wait, blow dry, and then perform the medical device treatment to dehydrate eggs. This option is typically chosen by families in a hurry or just not interested in being involved in the treatment process.
MUSEUMS, PARKS, & ZOOS
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: dsbg.org
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, a Garden for all seasons, provides guests a chance to reconnect with nature. The breathtaking Visitor Pavilion welcomes visitors to 110 acres of spectacular gardens including a children’s garden, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a Dry Piedmont Prairie, annual and perennial displays, sparkling fountains, walking trails and more.
As a benefit of your EBT card, you can visit during daytime hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) as often as you'd like for only $1 per person. Simply show your benefits card at admissions to receive the discount for up to six family members. The $1 admission price is also valid on days on which the Garden has special programming that is typically promoted as “free for members or free with general admission.” That includes upcoming events such as Music Fest, Fairy Fest, Bootanical and Día de Los Muertos held this autumn. Classes and nighttime events are not typically included. Offer not valid for select events including Chinese Lantern Festival and Holidays at the Garden.
Discovery Place (Science, Nature & Kids): discoveryplace.org
Through a network of four hands-on museums in three different cities, educational outreach programs and professional development for pre K - 12 teachers throughout the region, Discovery Place is a leader in STEM education in the Carolinas.
The Welcome program provides low-cost admission to North Carolina and South Carolina families who receive Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food and nutrition benefits. Present valid EBT or WIC and photo ID for $1 admission per person for up to 6 family members.
EdVenture Museum (Columbia, SC): edventure.org/columbia
EdVenture is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to creating new generations of lifelong learners through museum experiences, afterschool programming and camps. Helping shape a new generation of people who love to learn is at the core of all we do. In fact, our mission is to inspire children, youth and the adults who care about them to experience the joy of learning as individuals, as families and as a community.
Families who receive SNAP, WIC or Medicaid benefits receive $2 admission per person. (Must present proof of assistance i.e SNAP/Medicaid card or WIC Voucher)
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro): tickets.nczoo.org/info.aspx?PartnerID=1942737166
$2 off every ticket (must be purchased through link and NOT at gate)
Sweetwater Farms (Huntersville): http://www.sweetwaterfarmsnc.org/
Offering a venue space for honoring goodbyes (transitions) and adoption celebrations (2hrs) on days the farm isn’t open to the public (Mondays and Tuesdays). Give owner Susan, fellow foster parent, a call and let her know you are with Foster Village Charlotte.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Leroy Springs & Co., parent nonprofit of Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, SC offers foster families access to our charitable Leroy Springs & Co. Bridge Program. Foster Village Charlotte families can apply to receive the scholarship and can simply provide a foster placement letter/ license with their Bridge Application. The program provides affordable recreational and educational activities in the communities we serve. Programs include a Family Greenway Membership, Greenway Summer Camps (day camp), Springmaid Mountain Camps (overnight camp), FLYERS afterschool program (K-5) and select other recreation and education programs. Apply here
SHOPPING
Mosaic - Style with Love: http://carmelbaptist.org/mosaic-style-with-love/
COVID-19 UPDATE: PRESENTLY WE ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. In the spirit of caring for the vulnerable, minimizing potential exposure to others, and respecting the aggressive actions by our state leadership to combat this virus, the Mosaic Store will be closed and all current appointments are canceled. If you have any questions please let us know through emailing the store.
Services when Open:
Department of Social Service social workers have been provided with Mosaic-Style with Love Referral Tickets that allow a foster family to schedule a free personalized shopping experience for their foster child at the Mosaic-Style with Love store. During the shopping experience, a personal assistant will help the foster child and family select 2-3 new outfits and a new pair of shoes, as well as new undergarments, socks, and a few accessories.
Store Shopping Hours are by Appointment Only. Once you receive a referral ticket, please call 704.246.8732 or email mosaicstoreappointment@gmail.com to arrange your foster child’s visit.
If you are having trouble getting your Referral Ticket from your foster child’s Permanency Planning Social Worker, please email FVC at partnerships@fostervillagecharlotte.org
Once Upon a Child (Pineville): onceuponachild.com
Show court order or licencing paperwork and receive 20% clothes only
SOCCER
Soccer Shots Charlotte: soccershots.org/charlotte
Code: fosterparent for a 20% discount for the entire foster family (bio/fosters)
SWIM
The Swim Studio Charlotte: https://www.theswimstudios.com/ FREE Sunday one-on-one sessions for active placements ages 3-18+ occurred in 2021. Email swimstudionc@gmail.com and mention Foster Village Charlotte to see if they are planning to offer again.
YMCA:
A few YMCAs in the Greater Charlotte area will be giving free swim lessons in 2022 for foster and kinship families. All requests can be sent to Frances Lee (Frances.Lee@ymcacharlotte.org). Please mention Foster Village Charlotte in your email. Not all YMCAs are participating so be sure to ask which ones are! They are currently building a request list for when the next lessons begin.
ART & MUSIC
Kindermusik with Missy: https://kindermusikwithmissy.kindermusik.com/ 2022 50% of all classes to foster families. Wonderful for growing social-emotional skills and connection! Use code: FOSTER50 ($37 a month)
Noah’s Art (South Park): noahs-art.com
50% off classes (foster kids); 25% off camps (foster kids); Waive min/max weeks & cancellation notice. Code FOSTERVILLAGE
LITERACY & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL
Dolly Parton Imagination Library (free books for kids 0-4yrs): smartstartofmeck.org
Dolly’s goal is to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, she wants children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she can ensure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.
To ensure that families with children birth to five years of age are fully equipped with the appropriate developmental tools and resources needed to promote the importance of early literacy. We want to continue supporting parents as they shape and mold some of tomorrow’s most successful and productive citizens.
Mecklenburg residents sign-up for free at the link above or for more information about how the Dolly Parton Imagination Library works here in Charlotte, please contact Champagne Selman at dpil@smartstartofmeck.org or 704-943-9780.
Generation Mindful (Online): genmindful.com
Generation Mindful creates tools and toys that nurture emotional intelligence by connecting the generations playfully. Their goal is a world where all people feel powerful, safe, and connected. Their shop includes an online Positive Parenting course, Time-in Toolkit, Subscription boxes and more. 10% off for foster families; code FosterLove.
FOSTERing Literacy: Providing high quality book bundles for children in foster care as well as the other children in the home (adopted/bios) https://www.fosteringliteracy.org/
MISCELLANEOUS
Infant Massage Charlotte: infantmassagecharlotte.weebly.com
25% off class for foster/kinship families; Mention Foster Village Charlotte when you register. These classes are designed to help attachment and ease the nervous system for infants/young toddlers.
Roses + Azalea: rosesandazalea.com
Use code "FosterVillage20" for 20% off purchase. Exclusions apply to items such as bundles, kits, gift cards, samples, and more. Use coupon code during checkout.
A Mother’s Nest: https://www.amothersrest.org/
To improve the emotional and physical health of caregivers through proactive, affordable, restorative, respite opportunities.
Twenty Two West: https://www.twentytwowest.com/shop-online 22% off for foster/kinship families. Email mary@twentytwowest.com to receive code.