Stories

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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Girl Scouts Impacting Children in Care

Girl Scouts Impacting Children in Care
The Deschutes County Girls Scout Troupe had their hands and hearts full with helping children in care! The girls ended up packing 42 boxes for kids in care aging from infants to 18 years old! The effort expanded to a Girl Scout project which went to Trinity School and got another 4 launch boxes and…
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With the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program in Seaside

With the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program in Seaside
The Every Child team had a wonderful time in Seaside, Oregon! They were able to spend time with the incredible young women and staff of the Miss Oregon scholarship program! We were so grateful and excited for the opportunity to share the work and impact of Every Child, and equip these young women with some…
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Above and Beyond.

Above and Beyond.
"I sat in a meeting at the Yamhill County DHS and wiped away tears as I listened to caseworkers share how they are planning a date night for foster parents in their county. In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, the Child Welfare Staff are volunteering their time, giving up part of their weekend with…
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Dear Biological Mom

Dear Biological Mom
Dear Biological Mom of Our Foster Daughter, Neither of us would have chosen to have our lives collide this way. The first time I met you, I was picking up our foster daughter from a visit at the child welfare office. You had a backpack full of her clothes and favorite books for me. I…
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Interview with a Foster Mom

Interview with a Foster Mom
What made you decide to become a foster parent? When we began going to a new church we met many incredible individuals who were fostering and we began to learn more about the crisis in our community. I remember thinking how outrageous it was that there so many children needing homes in a large city…
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