Community, whether we are aware of it or not, is something we all seek out in our daily lives. It can look a lot of different ways such as: game nights with friends, joining a workout class or social sport, talking with folks at a coffee shop or joining a religious community. Seeking community is a way that we build connection with others and get support when we need it. When I think about the Buddy Family Program, that is what I think about: community, connection and Continue Reading
#foster care
Seeking African American adoptive families
My name is Danielle Brown and I have worked with Ampersand Families as a Youth Permanency Specialist for more than five years. Last year, I humbly accepted an additional role with a new program offered at our agency. This program is called Innovative Targeted Recruitment for African American Youth. Innovative Targeted Recruitment for African American Youth works to establish community partnerships that engage in targeted recruitment to meet the needs of African American Continue Reading
Recruiting adults to meet youths’ unique needs
When you consider lives that have experienced trauma, time involved with the child welfare system, and on top of this, the natural confusion of development and growing up, it seems perfectly clear that some youths’ views of the world, and the skills they cultivate, are not the same as their peers who have a more supported and secure upbringing. This understanding leads to much greater conversation as to why the need for connection and family is so important, but Continue Reading
