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What if you could volunteer two hours a month to support children in a healthy, vibrant foster home? Homes for Hope—a new project in Adams County—is teaming up with Foster Together to find and train eight volunteers to bring monthly meals to foster families in the Northglenn/Thornton area, north of Denver, Colorado. (If you want to apply, click here!) If you want to bring Foster Neighbors to your area (inside or outside of Colorado), see details and request a proposal here. In today’s episode we discuss: How emergency foster homes (also known as receiving homes) can help children find an appropriate longterm home. The claim that an emergency home model will necessitate additional disruptions for children. The importance of keeping brothers and sisters together (in the words of Katie, who is fostering, and likely adopting, four siblings) Why and how these foster homes need support from Foster Neighbors. From our special project page (click to volunteer): These homes provide intensive care as they organize family, medical, and therapeutic appointments, and comfort children through early days of fear and uncertainty. And YOU can support this crucial work, in under two hours a month. Where foster families often feel isolated and overwhelmed, YOU can offer a little more mental space and household peace. YOU can be part of the community that says, “It’s worth all the effort to help kids feel safe & loved.” Click here to volunteer.

A boy (I should start saying "young man") we fostered last year just came over for backyard archery and a campfire. As we made lunch, I asked him what he'd want every foster family to know. What makes a great foster home? He gave me a 16-point list, which is a telling view of his life in and out of foster homes. If you want to hear more stories like this in 2019, check out our end of year plan and sign up as a monthly donor: fostertogether.co/2018

Hope explains the success stories of 2018, the plan for 2019, and gives thanks for just a few of the dozens of people who gave (financially and of their energy) to make this year excellent. To view testimonials and stats in more detail, go to fostertogether.co/2018. If you'd like to consider a year-end gift or join "The Neighborhood" at $600 this year, please email Hope to request a copy of our detailed budget for each 2019 project.

In this second part of my talk with David and Lynn, they tell us how they set clear, kind expectations with each new kid in their home.

How do you find your niche, your “thing,” your groove, your expertise, as a foster parent? David and Lynn spent the past 15 years figuring that out.

I ask them what it's like to go from dog-parents to parents of a teenager overnight. They outline the differences between fostering younger kids and fostering teens, how it works as young professionals with lots of business travel, and (my favorite part), share their only two house rules.

Kate and Adam tell us why they decided to foster as young professionals, how they met their daughter, and what they wish would change in the system.

I can't create a series about foster dads in Colorado without interviewing the foster dad I know best: my husband, Kyle Forti.  Today, we had a chat about: His "side of the story" from our first time as foster parents (my own reflections are here) Three things he recommends to up your chances of successful foster parenting What we needed in our marriage to be a great foster family What Millennials can do if they're bored/annoyed/left empty by "Instagram life" (don't get too mad at us! ;)) + our favorite blow-it-outta-the-water account: @fostermoms How to support/connect with foster parents Sponsor a Foster Dad project at FosterTogether.co/dad Listen in and let us know what you think!

Justin and Megan fought "the system" and the result was clearly not in the best interest of the child. They tell us why they didn't give up on foster care.

Hope reads Christie M's story of learning how NOT to be a foster mom.

We ask Joy what she, as a black foster mom, thinks of the statewide push for black, latino, and native American foster parents.

When a veteran decides to be a foster mom, Semper Gumby, is the name of the game! We talk about the hardest and most joyful moments, and what it's like to send kids home to mom.