Riga Calls for 100 New Foster Families – Urges to Rethink Stereotypes and Offers Increased Support

Riga currently needs 100 new foster families, and the municipality is reaching out to the public to break outdated stereotypes. For instance, the common belief that a foster family must be a traditional two-parent household is far from reality—30% of foster families in Riga are already single-parent families. What matters is not the number of adults but the ability to provide safety, stability, and care for the child.

Riga also aims to change the perception of foster parenting as merely a volunteer mission. Instead, it should be seen as a professional choice, requiring knowledge, emotional resilience, and responsibility. To recognize this, the municipality has quadrupled the financial support for foster families. Combined with the state benefit, the monthly amount reaches 1.5 times the minimum wage. This allows one parent to dedicate time to the children instead of paid work.

Beyond financial aid, foster families in Riga are not left alone. There are out-of-family care support centers offering psychologists, social workers, mentors, and mutual support groups. The municipality also provides psychological counseling, rehabilitation, and development services for children.

The municipality encourages anyone considering becoming a foster parent to learn more. No one needs to be perfect—children need trustworthy adults who can offer a home and a sense of being welcomed.