Stories

Rock, Meet Water

Rock, Meet Water
Rock, Meet Water One of the byproducts of being neck-deep in a graduate program is that I think a lot about cost-benefit analysis. The costs of caring for foster children are high. Financially, I can tell you with certainty that being my foster parent was not a profitable enterprise. However, the costs go far beyond…
Read more

Harmony Klingenmeyer: Volunteer Appreciation Spotlight

Harmony Klingenmeyer: Volunteer Appreciation Spotlight
Harmony Klingenmeyer:Volunteer Appreciation Spotlight Over the last five years, Harmony and her husband Scott have had the privilege of parenting 16 children from the Douglas County foster system. They have been blessed to adopt three sons. They know that God is working miraculously in the lives of vulnerable children and families through the intervention, care,…
Read more

Jan Patton: Volunteer Appreciation Spotlight

Jan Patton: Volunteer Appreciation Spotlight We would like to thank our volunteers for all the outstanding work they do. This month we are focusing on Jan Patton a dedicated foster parent and ECHO Every Child Volunteer.  If you would like to be a volunteer, please sign up  here. There's always something for everyone. ECHO: What…
Read more

Shyla’s Story

Shyla’s Story
I entered foster care at the age of 16 with my 4 younger brothers that were 6 years old and younger. Our parents had serious drug problems and were very violent to each other and we didn't have a lot of money. We lived in cars, shelters, friends and family's houses. DHS said our house…
Read more

Choices

Choices
Bittersweet is an understatement. Giving a child back to their mama more than 500 days after they arrived in your home feels impossible. Every night, books are read, songs are sung, prayers are prayed, and we gently close this door saying, "Goodnight, _____. I love you." Soon enough, the door will stay open. No more…
Read more

You Are Loved. You Are Safe. You Are Special.

You Are Loved. You Are Safe. You Are Special.
Last year, a timid wobbler walked into our home with her caseworker on a dark, dreary December night. Her curly hair stood straight up, and her big brown eyes were wide and frightened. As her caseworker set her down, she stood for a moment...then slowly toddled over to me and put her arms up--the universal…
Read more

This Place is A Great Place…

This Place is A Great Place…
This note was found in a DHS office in Southern Oregon, written by a child in foster care. To see more stories like this, please follow Every Child Oregon on Facebook.
Read more

Grace

Grace
On Friday at 4:30 I picked up the phone and heard my DHS certifier’s voice, Emily, on the other end. I adore her. She works hard, advocates fiercely and speaks gently and professionally. It had been 18 months since she had celebrated with my family at the courthouse in downtown Multnomah County. Emily was there…
Read more