Inspire Happiness
Giving Tuesday Spotlight: Foster The Earth
2025 / 3 mins
At Vuori, we believe in the power of mindfulness, movement, and time spent outdoors.
For the 343,000+ youth in foster care across the United States, that opportunity is often out of reach. Luckily, our long-term partner Foster the Earth is helping change that by giving foster youth a chance to connect, grow, and find belonging in nature.
Guided by their motto “Hike. Heal. Protect.”, Foster the Earth leads underserved young adults into the wilderness where they can build confidence, form community, and experience the healing power of the natural world. In the backcountry, every step, every hike, and every climb becomes part of a larger journey toward strength and self-discovery.
We sat down with founders Sarah Hughen and Erin McBride to learn what inspired them to begin this work.
Rooted in Empowerment
For Erin, Foster the Earth’s mission is deeply personal:
Erin grew up in a family filled with compassion and second chances. Her grandparents fostered more than 100 children over the years, showing her what it means to create belonging and opportunity. That legacy, paired with her own love for the outdoors, became the foundation for Foster the Earth.
“I love bringing foster kids outside so they can find their own strength and see they can conquer more than they imagined,” Erin says.
Through Foster the Earth, Erin carries her family’s spirit forward—creating experiences in nature where young people can find confidence, connection, and a renewed sense of what’s possible.
For Sarah, the impact reveals itself in real time:
“The participants often arrive with trepidation, unsure of themselves. But after hiking miles of rugged terrain and summiting the highest peaks in the Lower 48, they experience a powerful moment of self-realization: I can do this” — Sarah Hughen
For young people facing food or housing insecurity, moments in the wilderness are pivotal. Each mile builds confidence. Every challenge builds resilience. Nights tucked under the stars restore hope. Surrounded by the beauty of the wilderness, participants discover something powerful: they have the tools they need to navigate life’s peaks and valleys.
