November 2016


In This Issue

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Our Mission
Amara works to ensure that every child in foster care has the love and support of a committed family -- as quickly as possible, and for as long as each child needs.

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These are our kids.




Friends of Amara,
 
Faith, hope, joy, and gratitude. Those are the words of this season and they are at the heart of the message from us to you.
 
Faith . We believe that the more we do the stronger we become. And the stronger we are, the more we can do for the children in our community who must count on us. We want to affirm their faith that adults take care of them.

Hope . We hold dear the world of possibility. We can -- and will --do better tomorrow.  We are drawn to the hopes of so many children for a safe, strong and nurturing family.

Joy.  Every childhood should have a heavy dose of it. And the joy of helping make that possible for children -- and their families -- in our community brings us our own joy.

Gratitude . A source of energy and the foundation of our work. Grateful for the staff we attract, the families with whom we have the privilege to work, and for our donor partners who make it all possible. Without you we cannot do our work.
 
Thank you,
John Morse, Executive Director   
A Trio of Siblings
 
Greg, Susan, Coara, Cannon, Curtis

Greg and Susan came to Amara planning to parent one kiddo, but they opened their hearts and their home to a trio of siblings: Curtis, Coara, and Cannon. Now with their forever family, the kids had been through a lot before entering foster care, and from there the turmoil continued; Greg and Susan were their fourth placement in just nine months. But with stable, loving care, the kids have grown so much. When people say that the kids are lucky, Greg says, "You don't understand, we're blessed to have them."

Since their adoption finalized, the family has stayed deeply connected -- Susan volunteers at Grandese's Place and the entire family speaks at Amara Information Meetings to help educate families starting on their journey fostering or adopting a child. 

Your support makes their family story, and so many more, possible. Thank you. 

Easing the Transition into Foster Care: Pierce County Emergency Sanctuary
 
In the midst of crisis, Amara's Emergency Sanctuary Program gives kids a soft landing while giving families and state social workers more time to find the best long-term option for the child.
 
Following the opening of Grandese's Place, the Emergency Sanctuary in King County, we are excited to expand our services and announce a  Pierce County Emergency Sanctuary which we aim to open in Tacoma before the year ends . Currently, children in Pierce County are entering foster care at twice the rate of children in King County.  As they are removed from their homes for their own  safety, rather than riding around in the back seat of a police car, at the office of a state social worker or at a hotel with state workers, children will be warmly welcomed with a nourishing meal, comforting toys,  and constant care and support from staff and volunteer caregivers. Both sanctuaries are the first and only facilities of their kind in each county.
 
Maureen Sorenson, our Pierce County Director, remarks, "I've been working in child welfare in Pierce County for close to 15 years and I'm so excited that Amara is going to be front and center in meeting the needs of kids in our community."
 
Amara's Emergency Sanctuary Program will be funded entirely through the generosity of the community. We are working closely with the Tacoma Housing Authority, Children's Museum of Tacoma, and Mary Bridge Children's Hospital to boost efforts for children in foster care in the county. 
 
The Pierce County Sanctuary is looking for 120 caring and committed adults to be a part of this critical effort by volunteering once a month for four to eight hours. If you, or anyone you know, could be interested in volunteering, please contact Katherine Joseph, Partnerships & Events Associate, by email or at 206.260.1711.
 
To make every child's welcome into the Sanctuary especially warm, you can shop our  Amazon Wish List to donate much needed items. New socks, underwear, and diapers of all sizes are always needed. 

Honoring an Exceptional Leader: Rep. Ruth Kagi
 
Ann Ramsay-Jenkins, Rep. Ruth Kagi and Amara Executive Director John Morse

At the third annual Amara Soir ée, we had the privilege of honoring Representative Ruth Kagi with the "Shining a Light" Award. An exceptional leader, Representative Kagi's many years of service provide ample and eloquent testimony to her significant impact on the well-being and visibility of children in foster care.

Maureen and Joel Benoliel co-chaired the special evening at Teatro ZinZanni featuring a special menu by chef Ethan Stowell. Guests invested more than $400,000 towards ensuring that  every child has the love and support of a committed family.
Please Join Us for the 2017 Amara Luncheon
 
Monday, March 20, 2017
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sheraton Seattle


To secure your seat, become a table captain, or learn more about corporate sponsorship, contact  Carrie Bassett, Special Events Manager, by email or  at 206.960.4355.
Amara: Building Strong Families Since 1921