On a cruise in 2020, Joshua and Matt discussed what type of family they wanted. Their conversation included fostering, adopting, or having children through a surrogate. The couple, married in 2018, knew they wanted a family; they just weren't sure what form it would take. They made their decision in 2020 when a friend, who is a foster care case manager, mentioned a teenager who identified as LGBTQ+ and had asked to be placed with a same-gender couple. Joshua and Matt were motivated to become foster parents, even though they wouldn't be licensed in time to foster the teen who made the request.
Cultivating plants is so much more than digging in the dirt. Three of our programs help participants get their hands dirty—and gain knowledge and confidence in the process. And all of these programs are possible thanks in part to our annual plant sale.
November is National Adoption Month, and the need to find caring homes for teens is critical, especially among older children. In 2020, 3,638 children over the age of nine were in Kansas foster care. In Missouri, that number was 8,825. Over the years, we've had foster parents who were convinced they only wanted to work with "the littles" find fostering teens is a rewarding experience. To help interested foster parents consider fostering teens, let's bust a few myths.
Life can be heavy. When we are not prepared for stressful events, it can feel like the event won. When feeling stressed, we are more vulnerable to react to triggers –memories, experiences, or events that spark an intense emotional reaction regardless of our current mood. Learn more about how we create and implement safety plans as a part of our trauma-informed model.
Exciting changes are happening on our Ozanam Campus this fall! Our On-Campus Living team has been hard at work creating interactive spaces for our youth, including a new library and redesigned sensory rooms.
