No.

Two letters, but so powerful.  Two letters that, put together, shut doors, shut down possibilities.  They are stopping points.  For some of us, they are easy to utter.  For others, especially for the helping hearts of the world, they grind and stab over our tongues, painful to say, worse to admit.

 But why is there shame in this simple little word?

 For foster and adoptive parents, for agencies, for anyone involved in our world, 

On Friday, May 4th, our staff, foster parents, children, and friends gathered for our annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner.  Children and youth gathered in a separate room and played games, created artwork, and had fun while being cared for by babysitters.  For the parents and guests, there was dinner, dancing, and dessert, as well as a few speeches.  Here is an excerpt from our Program Director, Bob Costa, when he addressed the group.

Our theme

Dear Little One,

You aren’t so little anymore.  The last time I saw you, you were wearing size 3-6 month clothing.  You are now probably learning long division.  You were a smiley, healthy baby with round cheeks and a swirl of light brown hair.  Now, you are a bright young lady with a toothy grin and uncertain eyes.  When I learned of your mother’s passing, my heart stopped.  I can only imagine what yours did. 

When we last left off, our ragtag band of staff members had just hosted a sunny October event, Autumn Fest.  Well, note that the blog took a break well beyond October.  That is because, gentle readers, the gears were just starting to turn. 

As soon as the last Halloween costume was shelved, our AMAZING Administrative Coordinator, Lola (who should be known as The Queen Of Everything Important in the Universe) whipped into action.  Letters

My hands hurt from wielding the shovel, yet again.  My shoulders ache.  I gaze down my driveway, a driveway that feels like it magically added a hundred feet to its dimensions, and sigh.  I can’t do this, I can’t make it.

This is the mountain our kiddos climb, day after day.  The road ahead too long, their souls too weary to travel it.

The snow is still falling, coating the path I’ve cleared, icing over

As you may have noticed, there was quite a gap in our blogging from early fall until the present.  Where did our blog go?  Well, fall and early winter are wild times around the office.  In addition to the usual (and sometimes very unusual) things that make up our days (and sometimes nights), the fall and winter months bring holidays and great expectations.  Here’s a little glimpse into what you missed…

October used to

Blizzard season is upon us.  Just as kiddos were adjusting to being back to school, they are back home, faces pressed to windows, hands pressed to sliding doors.  Some are sleeping the snow day away (looking at you, teens), while others are begging to romp in the cold.  The snow is tumbling, whirling its way down, blanketing the world around us.  The barometer has dropped alarmingly (who even knew that a Bomb Cyclone was a

Please welcome a guest blogger, Amanda Townsend, one of our Case Managers.  She took a few minutes to reflect upon a very important speech she attended last week. 

"On Monday 9/25/17 I was given the opportunity to attend a provider’s council conference. I was excited to be given this opportunity when hearing that the key note speaker was going to be Steve Pemberton, the Author of the book “A Chance In the World.”  I

Their eyes have gone from shining and full of sparkles to flat, dull.  Two giggling girls changed, aged over the course of one conversation.  A social worker nervously toyed with her bracelet as she struggled to find the words needed to change their world. 

Their mother, a woman who fought hard to find her footing, lost her battle.  The warm smile they loved, the enveloping hugs she gave, the future they planned to go home

It is the final step for a Home Finder. At the very bottom of the last page, a little black line, about three inches long; your typed name, credentials, and title below. You poise your blue or black pen over the paper and there is always a pause. The weight of the paper is heavy in your hand. You’ve read, re-read, and scrutinized every line. Peers, supervisors, and program directors have reviewed your work. That