Amara

Are you familiar with Amara's Family Connections Program? We help all the important adults around a child who is in the foster care system bridge the gap between them to best support the child. Our parent and caregiver mentors help everyone involved take the first steps toward partnership. When kids see all the adults in their lives partnering, they experience less stress, and the adults have less stress too! https://lnkd.in/g2Q8ezdb #childwelfare #fostercare #kinshipcare

One of the most important things foster and kinship caregivers of teens can do is to provide them with as much choice and control over their lives as possible. This can look like letting them decide what and when to eat, how to set up and decorate (or not decorate) their rooms, making sure they can still hang out with their friends, and letting them decide when to do their homework, and where. One former teen in foster care recalls being excited to just be able to choose where to do her homework, even if it meant sprawling all over the giant, chocolate brown sectional sofa in her foster family’s living room. Read the whole story on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gUs9YxfB #fosteryouth #fostercare #kinshipcare #caringforteens

Are you a King County government employee or an active or retired Washington State public employee (this includes all state employees, including University of Washington employees)? Making a gift through your workplace giving campaign is a meaningful and simple way to support children and families on their journey toward greater resiliency and healing. For the KCEGP campaign (https://lnkd.in/g_e8tw9M) Amara’s code is 9309. For the CFD campaign (https://give.wa.gov/search) Amara’s code is 0456683.     For more information on how to get involved, email amaragiving@amarafamily.org.     #employeegiving #fostercare #kinshipcare #YouthDevelopment 

Thank you to everyone who made our Through the Foster Lens event so wonderful! The Titlow Lodge was filled with warmth, caring, and so many connections: connection with one another, connection with Amara’s new CEO Fahren Johnson, and connection to our work with children and families. The photos shared by people with lived experience in foster care allowed us to reflect on the emotions behind each one, so we could understand the life-long impact foster care has on everyone connected to each foster care story. Every heartfelt photo was moving in its own unique way. Thank you to all who so graciously shared their photos. We were honored to host Through the Foster Lens and share these photos with our community of supporters. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gMHgDxPt #familywellbeing #buildingcommunity

Join us at Amara! Together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society—starting within our organization. We strongly encourage candidates who have personal experience with foster care and/or adoption as well as candidates from diverse backgrounds – including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities – to apply. https://lnkd.in/g3xUe5Ea #hiring #seattle #tacoma #childwelfare #familywellbeing

Join us next Thursday for an inspiring evening at our second annual traveling photo exhibit, Through the Foster Lens, Oct. 3 from 5 – 7 pm at Titlow Lodge in Tacoma. The moving exhibit features photos taken by people with lived experience in child welfare sharing their experiences, memories, and hopes. The evening will also serve as a fundraiser for our work with children and families. Please RSVP: https://lnkd.in/dGKhYS4w #tacoma #fostercare #kinshipcare #photography

Fahren wrapped up her first day as our new CEO yesterday with this great video message for our Amara community. "We're better together." #NewBeginnings

Recently, a new dad walked out of a courtroom reunited with his infant daughter. As he took his first steps into a new future, Leroy Pascubillo, walked alongside him, providing resources and support to help him navigate this new chapter. Leroy is Amara’s Family Connections Program Certified Lead Family Mentor. “Today was a very good day,” Leroy said, tears welling at the incredible significance of this dad’s reunification. Leroy knows from personal experience. “It’s about that baby. That dad is going to be a great dad for his baby.” Read the whole story online here: https://lnkd.in/gf7kGKbn #familywellbeing #childwelfare #dadsmatter

We are so excited to share that Michelle Perry, our Family Resource Center Family Advocate, has been recognized as a Champion for Children by the Pierce County Early Childhood Network. Michelle’s colleagues nominated her for this wonderful honor because they see her dedication to children and families every day. One nominator noted that Michelle is “an incredible colleague who provides families with an immeasurable amount of positive support, recognizing their strengths, potential, and is intentional to learn about families in meaningful ways.” We are looking forward to honoring Michelle at the PCECN’s Annual Celebration Oct. 11th in Tacoma at the STAR Center. Congratulations Michelle! #makingadifference

We are thrilled to announce that Fahren Johnson has been appointed as Amara’s new Chief Executive Officer. Fahren brings lived experience and more than 25 years of expertise in youth and community development with her to Amara, and she has served on our Board of Directors for the past two years. Her career demonstrates a deep passion and unwavering commitment to ensuring that the voices of communities, children, youth, and families are always at the heart of the work.     “I am honored for the opportunity to lead our work as Amara’s next CEO. Foster care and youth development are two passions of mine, stemming from my lived experience and my heart work,” Johnson said. “I am excited to be a part of the Amara team, who are at the forefront of dismantling barriers and systems that hinder equitable access to essential services and support, particularly for our young people.”    Fahren starts in her new role on September 16th and is eager to get to know more of the Amara community, which she has already been a part of for many years as a member of our Board of Directors and Pierce County Advisory Council.    “The Amara Board of Directors is thrilled to continue her service, partnership, and leadership in this new capacity,” said Sara Wong, Amara Board Chair.     You can read more about Fahren and this news on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gTjUU9fc