Amara Parenting

Foster parents are heroes!—they care for society’s most vulnerable children

DanielleH — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:59:33 +0000

“Heidi and Randy Farlow’s capacity to give is extraordinary. And yet they don’t think of themselves as extraordinary—they just want to do the right thing for the children.”

When Adam Cornell, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of Snohomish County, spoke these words during the Amara luncheon on Monday, May 14, he was about to call the Farlows on stage and hand them Amara’s Stella Mae Carmichael Award for 2012.

As a mom, I know exactly the feeling of wanting to do the right thing for my children. But Adam Cornell was not talking about my children or your children.

Adam Cornell was talking about children who live in our community, but who don’t necessarily feel cared for by the community.

He talked about children who are placed in foster care to keep them safe. Children who cannot return to their birth parents. Children who struggle with grief, trauma and anxieties about their future every day. Every day! Until they find a permanent home.

Adam Cornell used to live the life of “misfits” (Adam’s words, not mine!), so he knew exactly what he was talking about. He entered foster care at the age of five, lived in seven different foster homes and experienced two failed adoptions.

Luckily, when he was eight years old Adam was placed with foster mom Stella Mae Carmichael. Stella Mae gave him the unconditional love he craved. She taught him to have dreams and make them come true. And, she taught him never to turn himself into a victim of the foster care system.

Like Stella Mae, the Farlows have been exceptionally committed to the most vulnerable children in our community. That’s why they have been awarded Amara’s Stella Mae Carmichael Award for 2012.

Heidi and Randy Farlow fostered three children with significant developmental delays and emotional needs. They adopted one of the children and helped the other two children transition back into the care of their birth parents while consistently staying focused on the children’s needs.

Foster parents are heroes!

Dame Clare Tickell, Chief Executive of UK’s leading child welfare agency, made this bold statement on Monday from the podium. I couldn’t agree more.

Foster parents are heroes we should cherish, acknowledge, and celebrate!

DanielleH — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:56:10 +0000

More than 1,000 African American children are languishing in Washington state foster care. Please join an informal discussion about these children and how you could help them.

Renton Library

large meeting room

noon to 1 pm

100 Mill Avenue South
Renton, WA 98057

Can you be my mom or dad?

DanielleH — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:53:56 +0000

More than 1,000 African American children are languishing in Washington state foster care. Please join an informal discussion about these children and how you could help them.

Kent Library

large meeting room

noon to 1 pm

212 2nd Ave N.

Kent, WA 98032

Smooching sisters

DanielleH — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:38:52 +0000

While we’re writing our first blog post, please enjoy this lovely picture of smooching sisters. We found an adoptive family for Isadora and Carmen. So happy they can continue to grow up together!

Amara’s Annual Luncheon

Megan — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:18:51 +0000

Our most important fundraising event of the year, From Hope to Home will educate and inspire hundreds of community leaders committed to improving the lives of children in foster care.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Registration 11:00 – 11:55 a.m.

Luncheon 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Sheraton Seattle

1400 Sixth Avenue

Metropolitan Ballroom

Emcee: Jean Enersen, KING 5

Guests will have the opportunity to support Amara at the event. The suggested minimum contribution is $150. Pledges are welcome.

Siblings in Foster Care and Adoption

DanielleH — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:40:41 +0000

This four-hour workshop explores the complexities of sibling relationships, particularly for children who have been in foster care. Using presentations, exercises, and small group discussions, we consider how adoptive parents can understand their children and their children’s roles as individuals as well as members of their birth and adoptive families.

This workshop is recommended for families considering adopting a sibling set or welcoming a child into a home where children already exist.

RSVP or more information at 206.260.1700 or amara@amaraparenting.org.

Openness in Foster Care and Adoption Training

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:58:37 +0000

This three-hour training helps adoptive parents understand adoption as a blended family experience. We discuss birth parent stereotypes and consider a collaborative approach to working with birth families to encourage the healthy, lifelong development of each child.

*This training is required of families adopting through Amara.

Where: Amara, 3300 E. Union St., Seattle, WA 98122

RSVP or more information at 206.260.1700 or amara@amaraparenting.org.

P.R.I.D.E. Training

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:36:32 +0000

P.R.I.D.E. (parents’ resource for information, development, and education) is a required part of the licensing process for foster and adoptive parents. The program is a valuable resource for families learning about children in foster care and the roles foster and adoptive families have when caring for these children.

Who can attend: Anyone, 21 and older, who is considering adopting a child from foster care or becoming a temporary foster care provider. This community training is free.

When: Friday, October 28, Saturday, October 29, and Sunday, October 30, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Where: Amara, 3300 E. Union St., Seattle, WA 98122

RSVP or more information: call 206.260.1700 or email us at amara@amaraparenting.org.

LGBT Families and Adoption

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:27:20 +0000

This four-hour workshop offers an opportunity to explore ways in which LGBT families are wonderful and different from other families. Participants will focus on ways to prepare for the joys and challenges that may arise throughout the adoption process and continue into parenthood.

Workshop facilitators are both proud adoptive parents; between them, they have more than 25 years of teaching and training experience.

Where: Amara, 3300 E. Union St., Seattle, WA 98122

RSVP or more information at 206.260.1700 or amara@amaraparenting.org.

Transracial & Transcultural Adoption Training – Part II

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:19:18 +0000

This training will expand on the original and required Transracial & Transcultural Adoption Training and will include topics such as Development of Racial Identity, Talking to Kids about Race & Culture, Seeking Diversity, and Challenging Racism.

Where: Amara, 3300 E. Union St., Seattle, WA 98122

RSVP or more information at 206.260.1700 or amara@amaraparenting.org.