[Vancouver, WA] – Office Moms & Dads, a local nonprofit serving children entering foster care, has been awarded a $25,000 Focus Grant from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. These funds will be leveraged with in-kind work from Hint Consulting (a local software developer) to create and implement an app that will greatly enhance the organization’s ability to orchestrate and support volunteers working with foster kids.
Always room at Clark County foster family’s table
WASHOUGAL — On Tuesday evening, flour and colorful sprinkles were strewn on the Bumalas’ kitchen counter as they worked together to bake sugar cookies ahead of their annual Thanksgiving feast, which will also include a 21-pound turkey.
An Epitaph for a New Year
Attending a funeral at the start of a new year is sobering, to say the least. When talk of health and hope swirls around like a wintery January breeze, I am reminded that death is a cloud looming ever-present.
UGM’s Foster Support Faith Alliance and Office Moms & Dads Respond to Seattle Times Article
A few weeks ago, the Seattle Times published an article in their “Project Homelessness” section illustrating the problem our foster care system is facing with a lack of foster homes to place children in. According to a report released from the Washington Family and Children’s Ombuds, in King and a few northern counties, the overall nights that foster children had to spend in hotels was more than 1,000 in the year between Sep 2017 and Aug 2018!
OMD Receives Funds from the Murdock Charitable Trust
In August, 2018, OMD received a $40,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to begin formalizing fundraising efforts and strategically build a model for sustainable, strategic growth.
Change the Context
I had the privilege of listening to a speech today that was meant to inspire educators. It was given by a woman who had overcome incredible obstacles in her life and had woven a beautiful tapestry from the pieces of her trauma.
Grow Up Slow
Kids. They grow up so fast. (And nothing makes me sound older than when I say that phrase.)
My #4 child started Kindergarten this Fall. (It was a glorious day!) #3 cares deeply about how his hair looks; #2 is talking about what college she wants to attend; and #1 just breached 90 pounds and wants to play football. He’s in fourth grade. It feels too soon for this. Slow down a little, guys!
Volunteer Coordinators: Essential People
OMD has been acclaimed as ‘a window into the world of child welfare’, an accolade we carry carefully. Our volunteers are unique in that they are welcomed through secure doors, down fluorescent lit hallways, and into humble rooms that offer comfort to children in times of extreme stress.
Celebrating 5 Years of Service
Sure, we’ve changed our look over the years, but the soul of Office Moms & Dads hasn’t changed a bit. We began with five volunteers (ok, they were all my friends), one location and one handmade apron. Come closer, dears. Let me tell you the tale…
Twenty-Something
It’s July 20-something, and one of our offices has already reported intake numbers into the 20’s. Let me say it another way. More than 20 children have been removed from their homes due to severe abuse or neglect – one for each day this month – and this is only counting one child welfare office.