Stories

Why I Foster

Why I Foster
It's Foster Care Awareness Month!   May is Foster Care Awareness Month! This is a time where we spread awareness about the foster care system, acknowledge the foster care crisis in our state and highlight and thank all of those involved in touching the lives of these children at such high-stress times. But we also…
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“For every heartbreaking story, there is one of hope”

“For every heartbreaking story, there is one of hope”
"Dear Every Child - I retired from Lane Co Child Welfare after 29 years. For every heartbreaking story, there is one of hope. The following event has given me hope for 17 years & counting. I have altered the names for you to ensure confidentiality in the hope you may share it with your audience.…
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I’m A Volunteer

I’m A Volunteer
"I'm not a doctor who can fix broken bones, I'm not a therapist who can mend broken ideologies, nor am I anywhere near to being a foster parent who can provide shelter. But I'm a volunteer that has been consistent, and through that I've become a friend to a child who needs to know they…
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Camp Stories of Welcoming Kids in Care

Camp Stories of Welcoming Kids in Care
"Over the first week of July, Grove Christian Camp offered scholarships for 18 kids in foster care from Cottage Grove to attend a full week of camp for free! Grove Camp has a service focus for each camp, and last week it was Every Child. So I went and spent the whole week out there.…
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TLC at the Linn-Benton DHS Office

TLC at the Linn-Benton DHS Office
“Our goal was to have spaces created where families feel welcomed in, and can enter a room and enjoy the space and their time with each other--and hopefully shut off the distractions of the outside world and the fact that they’re at DHS… Achieved!” - Andrea H. In an interview with Benton County’s Every Child…
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Lessons from a Foster Parent

Lessons from a Foster Parent
Shortly after moving to Portland, James and Cassie began hearing about the number of children spending time in Oregon’s foster care system. That’s when the first seeds were planted that they would someday become foster parents. Fast forward two years, and this same couple has had the honor of having two young foster children in…
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Calling All Community Members

Calling All Community Members
"I'm sorry, but I can't help with this," a woman shared upon hearing Every Child's announcement for folks to learn more about foster care. She shared about how her life's circumstances would prevent her from becoming a foster parent, and because of that she didn't believe she was strong enough to help our foster care…
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Life to the Fullest

Life to the Fullest
"This past Sunday morning I answered my phone at 3 am, after hearing it ring our landline and then start on my cell phone. It was CPS asking us to take an emergency placement. We were not on the emergency placement list, our house was “full” with 5 kids already. And my husband just had…
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I know this incredible woman.

I know this incredible woman.
I know this incredible woman. She is fostering 4 beautiful children. One day, as I watched how she balanced 4 different emotions, 4 different needs, 4 different wants, and I was struck by her grace and patience. "How do you do it?" I asked her. "Whenever it is hard, whenever I am exhausted beyond belief,…
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Rising Above the Words

Rising Above the Words
They said I wouldn't amount to anything. They said my future wasn't bright. They said I wouldn't graduate high school. They said I wasn't worth much. But then one day someone believed in me. Someone saw my worth and spoke it into me. Individuals supported me, loved me, and told me I could do anything.…
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