When you’re in foster care, the little things often get missed. A new pair of shoes. A bike. A gift that’s actually yours.
One Simple Wish is a national nonprofit that grants wishes to children and adults who’ve been affected by foster care or a serious crisis. Wishes can be practical or just for fun, and the program operates all year, not just at Christmas.
There’s one important rule about how wishes get submitted. Here’s how to make it work for your family.
What Can You Wish For?
Wishes can be almost anything that would bring joy or take stress off your shoulders. Common requests include:
- Toys, bikes, and games
- Shoes and clothing
- Blankets and bedding
- School supplies
- Gift cards for stores and restaurants
- Other items or experiences that meet a personal need
Each standard wish can be worth up to $500, according to the One Simple Wish Get Help page.
People across the country can browse wishes online and choose which ones they want to grant.
One Simple Wish reports that 99.9% of accepted wishes are eventually granted, although individual wishes aren’t guaranteed.
Gift cards may be requested, but general-purpose prepaid cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards, aren’t allowed.
During the holidays, more families may be looking for assistance. However, One Simple Wish accepts wishes throughout the year, so you don’t have to wait until Christmas to ask.
Who Can Get a Wish?
One Simple Wish helps people who have been affected by foster care or certain serious family crises.
You don’t have to be in foster care right now, and there’s no general age cutoff for former foster youth. The official FAQ explains that support doesn’t have to end when someone reaches a certain age.
Community Partners may submit wishes for:
- Children in foster care: Kids currently living in foster homes or other foster care placements.
- Former foster youth: People who previously experienced foster care, including adults who aged out of the system.
- Kinship families: Children being raised by grandparents or other relatives.
- Kids in crisis: Children affected by homelessness, domestic violence, or the loss of a parent or sibling.
- Reunified families: Families who have reunited after foster care or are receiving support through an open social services case.
Eligibility depends on your circumstances and whether an approved Community Partner can submit a wish for you.
You must work with a Community Partner to request a wish. Individuals and foster parents cannot post wishes directly to the website.
How Do I Submit a Wish?
This is the key part. One Simple Wish works through approved organizations called Community Partners.
These partners help identify what someone needs, submit wishes through the website, and confirm when requested items are received.
Community Partners may include schools and nonprofit organizations that serve children, foster youth, and families experiencing hardship.
Here’s what to do:
- Ask your caseworker first. If you’re a foster parent or a young person in care, ask your current caseworker whether their agency works with One Simple Wish.
- Try other local organizations. If your agency isn’t a partner, ask a former caseworker, school counselor, CASA volunteer, church, or nonprofit serving foster and kinship families. Eligible organizations can apply to become Community Partners at no cost.
- Contact One Simple Wish for guidance. If you aged out of foster care and can’t reach your former caseworker, the organization may be able to help you find a participating agency or other support in your area.
Organizations interested in joining can visit the One Simple Wish Community Partner page.
To qualify as a Community Partner, an organization generally must be a U.S. nonprofit or school that has been operating for at least six months.
You can also read the official Get Help instructions for more information about requesting assistance.
When Should I Ask?
Wishes can be submitted and granted throughout the year.
If you’re hoping to receive something before Christmas, start asking now.
It may take time for an organization to become an approved Community Partner, submit your wish, and find someone willing to grant it.
Even after a wish is accepted, there’s no guarantee it will be granted or delivered by a particular date.
You don’t need to wait for the holidays, either. Whether someone needs school supplies, clothing, or something that would make a difficult time a little easier, One Simple Wish may be worth exploring whenever the need comes up.
Relief Recap
One Simple Wish helps bring a little joy and practical support to children and adults affected by foster care or serious family crises.
Eligible participants may have a wish worth up to $500 submitted on their behalf. There’s no general age cutoff for former foster youth, but every wish must go through an approved Community Partner, and assistance isn’t guaranteed.
If you’re interested, start by asking your caseworker or a local organization that supports foster youth and families.
And if you’re raising a relative’s child or looking for more holiday resources, check out our guide to free Christmas help for low-income families for other programs that may be able to help.
