Wanted, Chosen, Loved 2022

The anticipation had been building for two years.

Gathering together again for an in-person event seemed like a dream.

But when April 9, 2022 arrived, it was a dream that came true.

And what a beautiful, inspiring dream it turned out to be.

The long awaited night finally arrived, and it was truly a celebration, one that did not come without hours of preparation and volunteers.  

360 tickets sold, and they sold quickly, weeks before the event.

People were eager to gather and help make this happen.

Thirty volunteers contributed time and talent.

The day before, the National League of Young Men helped load items while a small team of volunteers took care of all the last minute details, like putting stickers on bid cards and setting up signage.

The night was abnormally cold for this time of year, yet guests arrived dressed elegantly, ready to have a good time.

Entering the Oregon Golf club was surreal. Guests stood around in groups, sipping wine, laughing and catching up. It was a reunion, as people embraced and reconnected after so much time. 

My husband and I have been to every With Love fundraising dinner event, and this year we could feel the energy in the room like never before.

After being greeted by our table host, we were directed into a side room, encouraged to engage with the experience, an interactive introduction to the mission and impact of With Love’s work. A table was covered with notecards that contained various stories of children in foster care. After reading over several heart warming stories, we selected one and took a picture holding the card.

This year several generous sponsors helped fund the event:

An so began our evening: Welcome to the 2022 With Love Benefit, “Wanted, Chosen, Loved.”

The theme this year was so appropriate to us personally. One of our dear friends finalized their adoption of their daughter from foster care this past January. She is truly an example of a child who was wanted and chosen, and she will be loved forever by her forever family. This is the heartbeat of With Love: Every child is worthy and not forgotten.

Watching our friend’s journey throughout the years, we had true insight of just how much With Love supported their family and their daughter. They were continually by their side, from the first uncertain night to their final delivery before she became legally theirs.

This night was a celebration of their story.

As we entered the main dining area under a magnificent heated tent, I was overcome with the beauty of the elegantly decorated tables and a room full of joyful people.

As the evening began, director Jill Orr and board chair Chylon Pappas came to the stage to welcome us,

followed by founder and president Allie Roth.

She entered the stage and took a moment to gaze out over the room, as it was truly an extraordinary, emotional moment. She expressed her gratitude and awe that we all showed up; after the tumultuous past two years, an evening like this is incredibly powerful and not taken for granted.

Dinner was served, wine was poured and the evening commenced.

Next up, former Oregon State basketball player and Blazer analyst, Lamar Hurd and his wife Bethany appeared on the screen, sharing their story of volunteering and their support for With Love. The video also captured Lamar making a special final delivery to our friends before they officially adopted their daughter.

  Patrick Silver, an animated and enthusiastic auctioneer commenced the evening by beckoning guests to have fun as paddles went up; money was raised and people cheered!

There were some great items this year, vacations to Cabo, a trip to Hawaii and a condo in Park City.  There was also a paddle raise for various amounts of money.

And the paddles just kept being raised.

It was pretty incredible to watch the support, love and generosity in the room.

After the auction, Allie presented the annual “Impact Award.” Marie and Neil Olsen were honored for their hours as a family volunteering this past year. 

As things seemed to be winding down, the greatest moment of the evening was still to come. Unbeknownst to Allie, the Walters Family Foundation presented an award and sizable check to With Love for their impact in the community. 

This not for profit organization in Portland recognizes individuals engaged in nonprofit work who exemplify Excellence in the Art of Change. During visits to potential recipients, reviewers seek to identify the degree of positive change, fiscal responsibility and community impact. To say that Allie was overwhelmed by this award and financial contribution was an understatement. Deep emotion could be felt throughout the entire room as she graciously accepted this honor. 

The evening concluded with a standing ovation and a real sense of hope for the future.

These past two years have been extremely challenging for so many people; nonprofits have been especially impacted by the lack of funding, volunteers and resources. However With Love has managed to not only stay open, but to thrive during this season.  

It was an extraordinary evening in so many ways; $294,000 was raised, and it was a true testament to the people who stand behind and believe in With Love and its mission. Undoubtedly, more lives will be impacted for the good this year, and love and support will continue to reach these children and families in our extraordinary foster care community.

A Time for Joy: With Love Annual Stocking Event

It was a rainy, grey day, not unusual in Portland during this time of year, right before Christmas.

The rain outside was blowing down sideways; however, inside the With Love warehouse, it was warm and joyful as volunteers prepared stockings for the annual With Love toy drive. 

“I just want to give a piece of my joy to someone else,” answered a young With Love volunteer who was being interviewed by KATU about why he enjoyed volunteering. 

The best way to chase away those wintertime blues on a dreary day?:

do some good for someone else.

This year, volunteers from Churchill Mortgage and Nike Woman’s Business Operations team filled the 700 tie -dyed pillowcases (created, once again, by Nike design team) 

Toys, supplies, blankets and books were donated from various churches, stores and groups from around the community. 

The volunteers were divided up into several tables as they worked in an assembly line to fill up each pillowcase to the top with surprises, completing the task by tying an elegant ribbon at the very top.

One of the many things I love about With Love is the attention to detail in every single part of the volunteering experience.

The time spent investing in the project at hand is used efficiently. 

Every time I spend time at With Love, nothing is wasted. This experience proved to be the same.

 Volunteering here not only accomplishes a lot of good, but it’s also a mixture of fun and hard work; and there is definitely a spirit of camaraderie. 

One of the things that added a special little perk to the morning was Randy at Intentional Espresso. 

Randy is an entrepreneur who runs a little espresso stand. He was stationed at this With Love stocking event to keep volunteers fully caffeinated. It’s these small, but meaningful, additions that make the volunteering experience at With Love special. 

And, there is a job for everyone! 

Among the group volunteering that day were four kids from the Churchill Mortgage group. Ranging from age 3 to age 14, each person there was able to do something.

I watched as a smiling little three year old chose a special book and put it in the stocking.

This was something that was worth missing some school for; there are lessons that can not be learned from reading a book in class.

The task was accomplished in about 1.5 hours and the stockings were then distributed the following day at a drive - through event- complete with donuts and sideways rain.

150 foster families were served; approximately 260 stockings to children ages 0-6. 

 They were also given to two foster parent night out events and to the Salem Angels. 

DHS from three locations (Alberta, East County and Washington County) picked up the stockings as well. 

Even through this tumultuous season, With Love has never stopped working, and this Christmas, it is no different. 

Searching for joy this season?

I found it here.

With Love 2021 Virtual Fundraiser

2020 is behind us, and 2021 is showing signs of a brighter future ahead!

As we celebrate 8 years of With Love’s impact in the Portland foster care community, we anticipate another fantastic year.

It was May 27 at 6:00 pm. The sitter was set to arrive any minute and my “non-sweat pants clothes” were laid out on my bed, ready to be worn (after not being used so much this past year!) I was anticipating a very fun night out (even if we were just walking down the street to our friend’s house!)  

For the past 5 years, this is a night I look forward to: the With Love fundraising event!

I eagerly anticipate and dream about the day when we can gather in person again at round tables, applaud the speakers on stage, and wander around the room scouting out auction items. I long to see familiar faces and give big hugs.

Oh, what a day that will be!!!

—- but until then, With Love was able to once again turn this night into a spectacular, virtual event!

This year people had the opportunity to purchase host kits and open their home to a smaller community of friends to view the virtual auction. Hosting a table included wine from Pamplin Family Winery and Raptor Ridge along with a charcuterie board from West Coast Grocery Company. 338 people viewed and engaged with this event!

The theme for this year’s auction was “We belong Together”, so relevant and appropriate after a year of separation and disruption during Covid.

It also speaks about how the foster care community depends on us,  and how we depend on the community to support With Love. 

Having a place where you are known and where you cared for is vital. Children in foster care often times struggle with identifying their place in the world. This year more than ever, finding a place to belong was a struggle for many.
Personally, I especially cherished this night because we were able share it with friends, friends whom we haven’t been able to see quite as much this past year. The reunion was special; it was filled with conversation, laugher and of course, wine. 

We were then introduced to the new executive director Jill Orr who shared her heart of graditude for the amazing support and community.

Following Jill, the Reynolds family shared their story of suddenly taking on the role of being a foster parent to their daughter’s child. Overwhelmed by the transition, they described how With Love supplied above and beyond for all their needs and thus, gave them the support they desperately needed to do the job well. 

Next,  Allie introduced  Kevin Carroll, a Portland local who wrote a childrens’ book on belonging. His inspiration comes from his own childhood struggles of finding belonging living with his grandparents at an early age. His story of finding his belonging inspired me to look at my community differently and the impact I may be having on people that I didn’t even realize!

One of the things that sets With Love apart is the way they care for each child by curating a delivery with each child’s own unique characteristics and personality in mind.

During the event, viewers peaked “behind the scenes” of how a volunteer goes about hand picking items for a child. What really stuck out to me was how orderly, clean and neat everything was inside the warehouse. The variety and abundance of items was incredible. 

The night ended by wrapping up the fabulous auction bidding, which included trips to Mexico, Hawaii and the Oregon coast. 

Throughout the evening there was a rolling list of donors and donations.

It kept going and going and going, and by the end of the night, With Love exceeded its goal (of $103,000) and earned $134,000!

We left the auction feeling hopeful and grateful. It is evident that the impact With Love is making in the community is significant and vital. We feel honored to come alongside this great organization for another year, and we eagerly anticipate what lies ahead in 2021 and beyond. 

Roundtable Discussion on Social Emotional Learning

“The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.” Benjamin Franklin 

With Love offers support to foster families in so many ways.  In addition to all the material items, With Love also creates memorable and beneficial educational experiences. 

On May 6, With Love hosted a virtual roundtable addressing the concept of SEL, which stands for Social and Emotional Education. It’s the process in which children learn to recognize and manage their emotions, develop sympathy and care for others and make responsible, healthy decisions and relationships.

Several knowledgeable women coming from different viewpoints and roles shared their experiences and expertise as it relates to SEL and the development in children. 

Nicole Larson, a LCSW, MSW at Hope and Harbor counseling started off the hour with some professional input discussing the effects of trauma and secondary trauma. Children in foster care often come from situations that are emotionally stressful. This can cause behaviors that can also burden the caregiver. Addressing the emotional drain and fatigue  that comes with being a foster parent, Nicole identified signs of trauma as well as reasons for secondary trauma. Secondary trauma is the emotional distress triggered by anothers’ traumatic experience. Her expertise provided professional insight and self care education.

Next, mom and author Whitney Antis discussed her new childrens’ book, What Did you Do Today? With lively illustrations and quizzical discussion prompts, her book encourages parents and kids to delve into the world of self- discovery. Her book helps kids identify their emotions and the sensations in the world around them. 

We then heard from Stephanie Johnson, an occupational therapist specializing in sensory support for children. She explained the two types of sensory sensitive kids: those who seek out extreme sensory experiences and those who avoid them. She included tips and activities when engaging with both sides of the sensory spectrum. She also discussed what was in the goodie bag full of various materials, that foster parents had picked up earlier from With Love, that can aide children with sensory sensitivities. Some of these materials included sound reducing headphones, fidget toys, bean bags, slimy sand and water beads. 

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

And finally, we heard from foster parent (and recent adoptive parent) Rachell Bedroth. She provided parents with practical ideas on how to advocate sensory development for various age groups. She also included some fun games to enhance sensory development. Kinetic sand and gelatin are two great sensory materials. Rachel naturally implements activities and discussion into the lives of her children, and she has a real passion to help parents do the same.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

All the foster parents were given bags of the various materials addressed during the discussion. There was also a time for Q/A.

This evening was yet another great example of With Love coming along side foster families and being an advocate and ally. Well done With Love!

(If you want to view the event you can click here.)

Curly Hair studio

When I had a little baby girl nine years ago, I had dreams of someday adorning her with hair bows and beautiful braids. More often than not however, our hair sessions end in tears and frustration, my daughter claiming that I am yanking and pulling too much. Most of the time we both walk away exasperated; grabbing a rubber band, she finally resorts to pulling back her wavy, thick, coarse hair into a messy ponytail.

My experiences with my daughter’s hair helped me to understand the importance of the textured hair class offered by With Love on February 25. Although my daughter does not have true textured spiral ringlets, she has hair that is different from mine, and therefore I have trouble understanding how to properly and gently care for it.

With Love has been helping the foster care community for almost eight years now. Not only do they help with tangible needs, but they also strive to help foster parents connect with their children.

Atoya Bass, founder and owner of The Curly hair studio in Beaverton, Oregon, was excited to share her passion and expertise with the foster parent community.

Seven years ago, she saw a need in the community that aligned with her interest and skill: Curly hair. According to Atoya, curly hair is misunderstood, mishandled and mistyled. Women with curly hair often times feel frustrated because they simply do not understand how to cut and care for it.

Furthermore, when curly hair is attached to a culture, it may also create feeling of being misunderstood. As I learned during this zoom class, textured hair needs to be cared for and handled in a very specific way. With proper understanding and education, foster parents are equipped to honor and love their children by caring for them properly.

The class began with Allie talking to a With Love board member Chylon. Allie talked about some of the questions she had about skincare and haircare routines for the black children that have lived in her house. Chylon was very thoughtful in her responses and how we can best care for these kids with dignity. Then Allie introduced Atoya and her model, a young girl named Tuesday. Tuesday had quite the curly hair; for over an hour, Atoya carefully and lovingly went through, step by step, the process of managing and caring appropriately for Tuesday’s hair.

My take away: Moisture and conditioner and time seem to be the key to success!

In addition to learning some excellent practical skills, this experience also empowered foster parents with an additional way to connect and care for their children.

With anything we don’t fully understand, taking the time to “walk a mile in another’s shoes” shows a desire to come along side to support and love well.

My interactions and negative outcomes with my own daughter could have been avoided if I simply took the time to understand her better.

After watching this video, I went to the store and purchased some high quality conditioner. Perhaps this is what my daughter’s hair needed; less pulling and tugging and more moisture.

When I presented her with my idea, she smiled, and I think that smile indicated that she felt important.

And later, combing through her hair without a snarl or pull, we felt connected, and she felt honored and loved.

Connection is key in any relationship.

Offering classes that educate and empower foster parents is yet another way to come along side the family. If you would like to see the training you can see it on our YouTube channel.

It’s sending the message to both the parents and the children in foster care that “you matter.”

Season of Giving 2020

Have you noticed that Christmas started a lot earlier this year?!!?!

And the Christmas lights on the houses seemed to be a bit more festive? :)

DECK THE HALLS! MIX THE EGGNOG!

The people declare that Christmas must commence!

2020 has been quite a year, and people seemed to be doing their best to make the Christmas season brighter than ever.

Likewise, With Love focused on making this year’s “Season of Giving” the best one yet!

Cue the Santa!

Bring on the elves!

The goal was to fill 500 “stockings” with bigger and better gifts than ever before.

Tye-dyed pillow cases were stuffed full of toys and goodies.

The spirit of Christmas was alive and well!

Thanks to the generosity and hard work of the community, this goal was met!

Supplying toys and materials could be accomplished in various ways. However, supporting local shops and businesses was encouraged.

Furthermore, people could contribute to Amazon lists designed for 5, 25, or 50 children.

Neighborhoods and companies worked together, creating hubs for toy collection.

Churchill Mortgage and Move Realty volunteered to assemble the stockings. By December 21, stockings were distributed throughout the state through DHS, deliveries, partnering non-profits, foster parent night out, and the big holiday drive through event.

Despite the drizzle on a grey Portland morning on December 19, volunteers showed up enthusiastically, ready to distribute Christmas joy to many foster parents.

There was a need; the call was answered.

Organized bins of clothing, books, toys and Christmas goodies were ready for pick up!

Additionally, With Love partnered with Olympus Controls for a magnificent bike giveaway.

They donated money to buy and assemble 145 bikes.

In addition to receiving a brand new bicycle, foster families were also gifted Starbucks cards and hand sanitizer; they could also shop for extra items, all from the comfort of their car.

I think it’s safe to say that despite the difficulties of this year, the community has pulled together to create fantastic outreach events at With Love.

This year’s end of season giving really demonstrated just how much people are willing to love and support the mission of foster families.

As we head into 2021, we have high hopes that life will operate a bit more normally.

However, may we never lose that sense of urgency

to love

and serve

and give.

May we never lose sight of what is most important

in life.

May our hearts be open

and our

words

be kind.

Welcome 2021.

An Afternoon at Frog Pond Farms

It was one of those late autumn afternoons when the world seemed to glow all around me.

The blue sky and sunshine against the radiant crimson leaves provided the perfect backdrop for a field of pumpkins, llamas and a camel. 

It was date night for my husband and I as we ventured off to Frog Pond Farms that perfect Wednesday afternoon, October 28. Having our four children occupied with extended family in town, we were able to escape the mayhem of the household together and serve the foster families participating in With Love’s fall family day out. 

Families began by shopping from their cars. A seemingly endless line of cars drove past various tables covered with donated items.

Costume Table

Volunteers assisted each family as they stopped and scoped out the table beside them. 

Drive Thru for items from With Love

With Love has always been generous with material goods, and this afternoon proved to be no exception. A bag followed the cars as volunteers filled it to the top with clothing, toys, games, books and even Christmas pajamas. 

“Shopertunity”

We love families serving together!

My husband and I helped at the “book” table and every single car greeted us with smiling, excited faces. 

“We love books!” one enthusiastic mother exclaimed. 

“This is awesome!” exclaimed a five year old girl waving to me through the car’s sunroof. 

Witnessing their gratitude and enthusiasm, I was equally excited to help them choose the right books for their family.
After shopping, families were given access to the farm’s fall drive through safari. 

“Look for the baby llama!” 

“There is a camel somewhere out there.” 

“Mind that crazy farm cat!” 

Their trek through the festive fields was sure to be an adventure. 

Driving through the pathway in the fields, various Halloween and fall scenes greeted us at every turn. My favorite was the whimsical dancing maiden made from woven reeds and grasses. 

I was also amused by the bathing skeletons. 

 At the end of the drive, they were greeted by dozens of grazing llamas who were eager to find a treat. 

 Families ended their journey by selecting a pumpkin and feeding one of friendly llamas.

In total, 54 families were served that evening, a total of 143 children. 

It was truly a memorable evening for everyone, and my husband and I couldn’t ask for a better date night. :) As a volunteer, there is something that stays with you, long after the event is over. 

Perhaps it’s the camaraderie of working alongside other volunteers. 

Perhaps it’s seeing the excitement and gratitude of the families and children being served. 

Perhaps it’s the fresh fall air and llamas. 

In a season of cancellations and lost opportunities, I know for my husband and I it was refreshing to be able to be a small part of something very positive going on in our community. 

How easy it is to lose sight of the bigger, better picture of life! 

As we transition to this upcoming season of holiday, may we not mourn what is wrong and not normal; instead, may we focus on loving well.

Partnering with With Love enables foster families to continue to do the hard work, and from my experience, it makes for a pretty good date night too!

"Back to School" Donation Drive!

Fall is right around the corner, and usually I get this stirring of excitement with the anticipation of my children going back to school. However, this year, I put air quotes around going “Back to School”, and rightly so, because my kids won’t be going anywhere.

Like thousands of children in the Portland area this fall, the start of school is going to look really different, as school means staying at home and learning as best as they can via computer and book work. Parents who lovingly take on this role of being a parent to a child in foster care did not expect to be a teacher as well. Some children will be starting an online kindergarten or head start program; and although they may not need all the typical supplies, a box of brand new crayons or a pair of clean socks is always comforting and encouraging to a new beginning. 

With Love is  honored to partner with Bridgeport Village  to collect NEW donations at their Concierge location next to PF Chang starting August 10th until September 6th. These can be dropped off between 9 am and 5 pm.

Items requested are:

Kids Backpacks

Crayons

Colored Pencils

Disinfectant Wipes

Shirts, Shorts & PJ’s: sizes 2T- 8

Shoes and socks: up to size 3Y 

An alternative way to participate in this donation is by purchasing through the With Love Amazon Registry! It's quick, easy and donations are sent directly to With Love:

https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/withlove-oregon-withlove-oregon-june-2021-wilsonville/1NWETJJXRJDID 

Of course,  items can also be dropped off at our warehouse located at 14555 SW 74th Ave. Tigard, OR 97224  during open hours on Monday and Friday from 11 am - 1 pm. 

Shopping in Fred Meyer recently, I noticed an abundance of back to school supplies, probably much of it that will remain on the shelves.

 Fred Meyer Community Rewards is an easy way for With Love to receive donations from Fred Meyer Stores. Customers earn these donations for their favorite nonprofits by shopping with their Rewards Card.

Shoppers can now link their Rewards Card to the organization of their choice (i.e With Love!). Customers will continue to receive Rewards Points, Rebates and Fuel Points; however, at the end of each quarter, Fred Meyer will make a donation to participating nonprofits based on the accumulated spending of the Rewards customers linked to each nonprofit,  donating over $500k each quarter!

To link a card please click here:

https://www.fredmeyer.com/topic/community-rewards-4

Being a mother of four little ones myself, there great apprehension about the upcoming school year.

For me, being able to look beyond my world and situation is a good way to cope with the disruption of normal in my life. 

Giving back to an organization with a vision to help this vulnerable population make a smooth transition into an academic routine is one way I can reach out and make a positive difference.

Uncertain Times filled With Love

It was Thursday morning and my husband graciously took some time off of work to watch our four children so I could go enjoy a cup of coffee alone. Seated comfortably at an outdoor table at Panera, I took my first sip and felt gratitude for this new day. I was ready to begin my reading.

In front of me sat the 2019 Child Welfare Data book and a nice thick packet from the Secretary of State Audits division for the Department of Human Services. Although this was not my usual summertime reading choice, I had dedicated this time to try to understand the foster care community a little better. Having friends who are foster parents and being a supporter of With Love since the its beginning, I was curious to see what exactly foster care and the needs looked like in the state of Oregon.

Numbers tell us a lot; lately, I feel like numbers dictate a lot about our well being and the world around us. So, ready or not, I was ready to dig in to some numbers, which proved to be quite disturbing and eye opening to me.

To begin, in 2019, 89,451 total screen reports were reviewed of suspected child abuse.

From those investigations, 10,887 children spent at least one day in some kind of foster care.

42% of were 5 years old and younger; neglect ranked as being the most common cause for removal from the home. 

The Secretary of State document was equally filled with numbers and statistics; it sought to explain how Oregon could effectively use family services to limit foster care and keep children safely at home. However, the unforeseen months of COVID has affected these programs and services. During COVID, DHS had to reduce in-person visits between children in foster care and their parents and providers.

Domestic violence calls to crisis lines spiked amid stay at home orders and job losses. At the same time, reports to Oregon’s Child abuse hotline dropped dramatically amid school closures, raising concerns that abuse could go unreported; 20% of calls to the hotline come from school personnels. Funding for Child Welfare and other government programs will fall because of the slow economy and reduced state tax collections. 

In May 2020 the Governor requested that DHS and other agencies prepare to make cuts for the 2021 fiscal year. DHS outlined $65.9 million in cuts to Child Welfare, more than a third of the total budget increase for the current biennium.

As I read through all these number and statistics and thought about the uncertainty of the future and COVID’s impact on the economy and the United States, it made me realize just how vital With Love’s resources and support are in this season.

More than ever, With Love is serving the community and continuing to fill the gap with resources and support. Recently being able to open up donations again, the community can now fill these material needs once again.  www.WithLoveOregon.org gives direction as to what is being requested and how people can contribute.

This season can be unsettling;

the future is uncertain:

With Love is working to be here through it all.

Thank you to all who continue to believe and support this vital resource to so many families and children!

2020 Virtual Auction

I settled into my cozy couch next to my husband; my four children crowded around us as we opened our computer, anticipating the next exciting hour.

It was Wednesday night, June 17, the night of With Love’s fundraiser; a virtual auction and update was about to commence. Instead of beautifully adorned tables at Oregon Gold club, people all across Portland -and even the country- got comfy at home in front of their computers, eagerly anticipating the annual updates and supporting the dreams and aspirations for the future.

I’ve never been a part of a virtual auction, so I didn’t know what to expect. However, I have to say, from the moment it began, I still felt the excitement and joy that is so present at these With Love benefit dinner events.

Scott Roth began the event by stating the objections for the evening.

First and foremost, the evening was about honoring the foster families who care for the hundreds of children in foster care in Oregon.

Second, there would be an invitation to become a part of the village it takes to support these families; the second objection would be to raise awareness of the needs within this community.

Finally, there would be a call to action, an opportunity to raise funds for With Love in order to increase their mission and impact on the foster care community.

With Covid 19, there is and most certainly will be an increased need for care. The Governor has already warned that funding will be cut significantly within many agencies, including DHS. This can certainly seem overwhelming; however, With Love remains dedicated to being a part of the solution rather than dwelling on the problem. Support from the night’s event would certainly be apart of this effort.

There were many generous sponsors who, despite the necessary transition to a virtual affair, continued to support the evening. These companies are:

Northwest Private Lending

Apex Real Estate partners

Educational Excellence

PKA Architects

Portland Compressor

Kerr-Larlee Wealth Management

BECU

Cushman and Wakefield

In 2019, With Love made 914 deliveries, each one averaging $1,500.00 worth of goods. Since March, 181 kids have received deliveries. With Love has also been able to put on four social distancing events for the foster community.

Last year, With Love announced the need for a new facility, in addition to hiring new staff. This year, there is a dream of hiring another staff member, adding additional space to the warehouse and opening up an eastside studio facility.

The positive updates and exciting aspirations for the future provided a wonderful springboard to launch in to the auction. Patrick Siver and Allie Roth both hosted the fundraising portion of the evening. There were inspiring stories and acknowledgements; there were offerings of wine tours and trips to Mexico. There were donations and, no doubt, a lot of cheering from living rooms.

Overall, the event was nothing less than glamorous, communicating accurately the needs and dreams and reflecting and celebrating the accomplishments.

In honor of Seven Years!

Birthdays look a little different these days; our lives have been uprooted and our days operate and look very different than what was only six weeks ago.

I was recently talking with a friend who had a big milestone birthday approaching. To celebrate, she and her husband were planning on taking a big trip with some friends to Las Vegas for the weekend. However, when her big day arrived last week, she celebrated on her drive way sipping mimosas, socially distanced with two of her best friends. Despite the seemingly  disappointing change of plans, she stilled seemed satisfied and happy about how her birthday was celebrated; the meaning of her day was actually honored more in this simple way, delighting in gratitude and reflecting on what matters.

Gratitude is perhaps the greatest gift we all receive; to truly recognize the privilege of each day is worth more than a little wrapped package with a fancy bow.

“Not having to cook for eight kids is such a gift tonight.”

-Foster mother who received dinner from Koi Fusion during With Love’s birthday celebration

Undoubtedly many of our big life moments have looked different these past six weeks as we continue to navigate this new season of separation.

Likewise, With Love’s big birthday celebration planned for May 2 had to be postponed.

However, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a plan to still celebrate!

May 1 started off this birthday month, celebrating the foundation and vision it was founded on:

serving the children and families in the foster care community.

“It was the highlight of my week!”

-Foster parent

Through the generous sponsorship by With Love, Brock Jodion Insurance, West Linn High School, and food provided by Bo and Lia of Koi Fusion, 40 foster care families were served and honored.

200 people drove through the With Love parking lot to receive BIRTHDAY meals along with gifts of blankets, books, puzzles, and hand sanitizer custom made by Freeland Spirits. 

For 2.5 hours, cars paraded through the parking lot with signs of encouragement and thanksgiving mounted in their windows. It was truly a joyful, inspiring time, and it showed how very much With Love has impacted the community and these foster families.

“I don’t feel so alone as a foster family. I feel seen,” commented one foster parent.

With Love has always been about  foster families and the children in foster care. Caring for them on this special occasion is really what it’s all about; and so, With Love was absolutely delighted to serve them in honor of their seven years in the community. 

“We are foster parents because we have the support like you. With Love is why we say ‘Yes’!”

The event was run by three board members from With Love, who are themselves foster mothers. There is power in community.

With gratitude and hope for the future, we all stand together; we anticipate the day when a glass can be tipped among friends once again.

Until then, CHEERS!

Love is not cancelled

The beautiful pink flowering tree outside my family room window has always been a highly anticipated revelation each Spring; illuminating the room in a soft, rosy glow, it proclaims that a new, brighter season is on the way.

This Spring, it has especially been a source of comfort as I grieve the sudden cessation of so many things.

Perhaps it’s the certainty that Spring is unable to be cancelled; the seasons still progress as they always have. It’s a certainty that I’ve come to rely on; I believe that brighter days are ahead and that in the end, our nation and people will come out stronger.

Even as I write in this early morning hour, I hear a single bird proclaiming that a new day is about to begin. He serenades in certainty that dawn is breaking and the sun will make its appearance soon.

Although our society is shuttered and daily operating as we know if is halted, some things in life do not cease ; there are still children in foster care, and the needs now are perhaps greater than ever.

With Love is committed to not closing its door on foster families during this time. Yet, with the new restrictions and protocol, operations are unable to continue as normal.

With Love has always run on volunteers and donations from the community; these partnerships are the fuel behind all that they do. These resources have been halted, yet With Love is committed to finding new ways to push through and serve the foster care community.

Currently, staff members are the only ones allowed in the warehouse, and all material needs are being fulfilled with whatever is available in the warehouse. Nothing is being restocked.

In 3 weeks, 40 children received tangible goods. Last Friday, 61 Amazon gift cards were distributed. The needs keeps coming and With Love is doing everything they can to answer the call.

With Love is finding ways to lessen the burden and provide joy in other ways too. On Friday, April 11, With Love is gifting children in foster care a virtual crafting session. Partnering with a local mom who runs Craft and Boogie, 100 Spring themed crafts will be distributed and a time of instruction will be provided virtually. The hope is that this experience will bring joy to the children, and perhaps a small break for the parents.

When life does return to somewhat normal, the needs will be even greater. A depleted warehouse and a surge of children entering foster care will create great urgency for donations and support.

But

Love is never cancelled; Love will continue be the answer.

Partnership with the community will be more important than ever as With Love will need to restock supplies with clean, new-or nearly new-goods and clothing.

As I watch the pink flowers outside my window transform to the deep red leaves that will now be with me for the next six months, I am reminded that stability will eventually return.

Life will resume.

There will be a period of recovery, but I am certain that Love will answer that call.

Thank YOU for continuing to believe in Love and for standing by foster families during this season.

With Love couldn’t run without the dedication and support of so many people.

With Love looks forward to working with YOU soon; but in the meantime, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers.

Before you know it, the next season will arrive.

You are invited to a Birthday Party!

Bright teal and pink streamers decorated the kitchen and living room while an elated four year old girl eagerly waited by the front window for her party guests to arrive. She was dressed in her finest “Elsa” dress, her hair pinned beautifully up with a bright blue bow.

“M”, a precocious, bright eyed girl arrived in the home of my dear friends around the holidays. This would be her sixth home in two years.

I have loved watching my friends over the past 1.5 years as they have welcomed and loved many children in foster care.

Raising three energetic children of their own, the additions have not come without sacrifice; it is a sacrifice, however, I know they would say is worth it. 

Despite all the transitions, “M” is full of joy and love. 

She dreams of being a princess and loves her foster mama’s cupcakes. 

Being a close friend of this family, our family is honored to share in some of this journey.

This time we were the guests at a fifth birthday party. 

My friend adorned her home in Frozen themed party decorations.

There were homemade cupcakes,

presents from friends

and her special moment of blowing out her own candles.

 She felt honored and treasured,  

because

she

is.

The celebration I witnessed that January afternoon embodied the heart of foster care:

a gift of a family and a home;

a gift of stability and love.  

This is why With Love has expanded and impacted the community in such a profound way the past seven years.

Love is unstoppable and people believe in it.

They want to be a part of it.

Birthdays are appropriate times to pause, recognize and celebrate another year.

With Love is about to celebrate Seven Years this coming May;

a party is being planned,

and

YOU

ARE

INVITED

!  

May is also National Foster Care Awareness Month!

Is there a better way to celebrate!?!

Celebrate and dream BIG for the future on Saturday May 2 at the Oregon Golf Club. 

There will be a paddle raise, a wine wall and, for the first time, a live auction!

(AND…If you’ve been to this event before, there are always a few surprises thrown into the mix!)

Tickets are on sale now!

Money raised will be used to fund three big new initiatives for future growth and sustainability. These plans will be revealed at the event!

Reflecting on the seven years of With Love brings up so many emotions.

However, I would confidently say that the biggest sentiment is one of gratefulness. 

Seven years ago, materials and bins piled up in the home of founder Allie Roth. Groups of volunteers came to sort clothing, wading through bedrooms, hallways and living spaces filled with donations.

There has been so much change for With Love over the years; but the the one constant is that it just keeps expanding.

From day one the community has stepped forward to contribute time and donations. 

It wasn’t long before the bins and overflow had to be moved to a warehouse.

In four years, that warehouse was out of space and With Love was moved yet again to another facility. 

In 2018, 1,100 kids were served.

In 2019, 1,600 kids were served, and these numbers don’t include holiday drives.

All of Oregon is now served with the drive up service.

  The number of volunteers and the number of children being served keeps rising each year.

With such Big Growth and impact comes BIG DREAMS.

WILL YOU DREAM BIG FOR ‘WITH LOVE’ TOO?!

Five year old “M” will probably always remember her 5th birthday. She may not remember all the details, but she will recall the feeling of love that surrounded her, and the feeling of being important. And this is the best gift of all.

Filled With Love

My suspicions were confirmed that 8th grade boys are in fact capable of eating a brownie, a Christmas cookie and a donut at 10:00 on a Wednesday morning; however, what I came to recognize was just how compassionate and hard working they can be too. I witnessed this at the With Love warehouse as they diligently filled holiday ‘stockings’ with toys for children in foster care. They even tied them up with a neat little bow!

For the third year in a row, 8th grade students from Our Lady of the Lake school in Lake Oswego spent a morning in the With Love warehouse taking part in the annual ‘stocking stuffer’ event.

Allie Roth began the morning welcoming the students and chaperones, explaining the mission and inspiring history of With Love. She also educated the volunteers, citing startling statistics about children in foster care in the community. She emphasized how their time filling holiday stockings would bless so many families and children.

Instructions were given, toys were distributed and the students were divided up among the tables, eager to work.

Representatives from Churchhill Mortgage and Nike Creative design team also participated and sponsored the event; It is truly a task people of all ages and life stages can come together and do.

What stockings looked like in 2014 before Nike stepped in to help out.

With Love’s stocking stuffer event has been taking place since 2013. In years past, stockings were crafted and donated by Nike design team. This year they created pillow cases, which are more practical for continued use throughout the year. Each pillowcase was custom made and unique.

After filling each pillow case with twelve brand new donated toys, each one was lovingly secured with a beautiful ribbon and gift tag.

Filling these bags was certainly a team effort.

Throughout the holiday season, companies, teams and groups of all ages and sizes came together to help in the warehouse.

Drives from all over Portland provided the toys for the bags; the generosity of so many communities enabled over 760 kids to be served this holiday season.

The bags were given out in deliveries, Foster Parent Night Out events and DHS parties.

Intentional Espresso even came out to provide an extra shot of energy to the many volunteers in the warehouse this year!

There was holiday music, laughter, and smiles all around. It was a festive and joyful place to be.

On that wintery Wednesday morning, the 8th graders mastered the art of tying a perfect ribbon; they also learned what it means to work hard to provide joy for someone else.

Allie debriefed at the end of their volunteer time, asking students to share what they learned.

One boy said he never realized how many foster children were in Oregon.

Another didn’t know what dignity meant until this morning after the conversation about it.

Allie invited them to come back to volunteer in the warehouse, suggesting that even picking up a bag of laundry, washing it and returning it would count for volunteer hours if they needed or wanted them!

(One chaperone lovingly reminded the students that if they did this, they had to be the one to wash the clothes, not their parents! :)

The children cheered when they were told they filled over 400 holiday stocking that morning alone. They then filed out (grabbing another Christmas cookie or two on their way) and headed back to continue their school day.

These students learned something that they could not achieve by simply reading a textbook or hearing a teacher lecture. They learned how to serve, and they felt the satisfaction and joy from doing it.

They experienced teamwork and the camaraderie that comes from accomplishing a task with others. They knew the gratification of hard work.

Experiences like this teach compassion and altruism, something in which there is never too much. During the Christmas season, With Love receives a flood of requests from people who want to help and volunteer. It is a season when people carve out time to give back; however, the need is year round and With Love encourages people to be a part of the With Love volunteer team beyond just the holidays.

There are a variety ways to get involved. With Love fits every age, interest and ability!

As we commence a NEW DECADE, consider the ways you can bring love to your community.

The needs of foster care don’t stop after the holiday season; and LOVE shouldn’t either.

Christmas Magic at Cabela’s

Its a bird, it’s a plane, no….it’s only Santa Claus in a helicopter!

For 167 With Love invitees, it wasn’t too early to commence the holiday season at Cabela’s in Tualatin last Thursday, Nov. 14.

With Love was able to bring holiday joy, creating a magical Christmas experience that won’t soon be forgotten.

Volunteers from Pittman and Brooks helped make this a very special day. With Love is so grateful for their enthusiasm, energy and time in helping make this a smooth process for everyone who attended.

With 137 donated toys collected at the Cabela’s donation drive it was well supported by the community. Foster families were able to select shoes, blankets, diapers and plush toys.

Cabelas did such a wonderful job facilitating this event. Specifically, Paul, an employee of Cabelas, really went above and beyond.

Partnering with the foster care community himself, he truly put his heart into making this fantastic experience.

“This is our 3rd partnership with Cabela’s, and we hope to do more in the future,” said President and Founder Allie Roth. “It was such a great time.”

At 4:45, families were notified that Santa Claus was coming in for landing in a helicopter. There were cheers and celebration as he landed in front of the store.

Excited kids greeted and took pictures with him.

It’s amazing the kind of magic can take place when a community decides to come together to create it.

Thanks to the direction of With Love and the many many volunteers, donors, and supporters, Christmas magic was all around and foster families were truly honored.

Tis the Season to Declutter….

This is the time of year when the walls of my home seem like they are closing in on me. The clutter in my home creates a persistent anxiety in my soul. The accumulation of stuff throughout the year seems to be bursting forth from every nook and cranny, and I start to panic because I am very aware that in a few more weeks, my home will take on even more stuff. If I don’t do something about it now, my mind and body will be taken over, and I will be forced to dig my way to the kitchen.

My remedy for this includes a huge garbage bag and a few hours while my kids are away at school.

I have to say, my dopamine starts firing as soon as I start gathering loose papers and random McDonald’s happy meal toys. The fuller the garbage bag gets, the more calm and centered my spirit becomes.

There is something about simplifying that creates balance and serenity within me; I’m not the first person to feel this way.

In recent years, books on simplification and “de-cluttering” have become extremely popular, and for good reason; neuroscience shows that an uncluttered living environment actually enhances focus, productivity and mood.

The theme of “purging the home” is a common topic of conversation amongst my fellow “mom” friends; it is one that invokes passion as we cheer each other on and celebrate our transformed environment. It also sparks conversations around the upcoming giving season and alternative ways to approach this period of consumerism and decadence. We all desire to “cut back” this year and “get back to what really matters.”

But, how does this happen? Where do we begin?

Personally, I believe it all starts with gratitude and deep recognition of life in the here and now.

Perhaps this is the reason the holiday season commences in November with Thanksgiving.

It’s easy for me to get caught up in the frenzy of black friday emails while purging my home of last years indulgences. It is a cycle that seems ludicrous if we really stop to think about it. We buy and collect and consume to be happy; yet we also purge, and clean and dump to be happy. Hmmm….something seems a bit off here.

An article in Time magazine reported on an experiment conduced by the University in Zurich in Switzerland studying happiness.

Fifty people were told they would be receiving $50 in the next week. Half were told to commit to spending that money on themselves, and the other half was told to spend it on someone else.

MRI scans on both groups indicated that those who planned on spending the money on others showed increased activity in the regions of the brain associated with happiness and altruism.

They even reported being happier after the experiment was over!

The study also showed that it didn’t matter how generous a person imagined being; even being a little generous made a difference in their overall mood and outlook.

Other research has suggested that making generosity a part of a lifelong habit proves to influence long term well being and satisfaction. https://time.com/4857777/generosity-happiness-brain/

And get this, research shows that older people who have made generosity a habit have better health; moreover, there is even a correlation between generosity and longer life expectancies! This could be a result of reduction in stress. Accumulation seems to clutter our minds over time; when we give away what we have, we don’t have that constant feeling of being overwhelmed.

It is complicated to pinpoint the exact influence generosity has on the human mind and body. However, there is something to it because the concept of life simplification in regards to material possessions has become a rapidly growing trend in the United States.

I recently have seen this play out at birthday parties I’ve attended with my children. My daughter has been invited to two parties within the last year where party hosts have requested that guests bring donations to a charitable organization rather than gifts.

And this theme didn’t stop at children’s birthday parties. I recently attended an adult neighborhood cocktail party; the price of admission: Donations.

As I reflect on my own community, my heart is drawn to organizations that directly impact and affect the most vulnerable around me. I am grateful that an organization like With Love is so accessible to my community, both in resources and partnership.

Recently Oregon Business recognized the best 100 non profits in Oregon. With Love was listed as one that is making a recognizable difference in the local community.

https://www.oregonbusiness.com/100best/nonprofit/item/18871-2019-100-best-nonprofits-to-work-for-in-oregon

As the holiday season commences, With Love has launched various opportunities to get involved with foster care. https://www.withloveoregon.org/get-involved

Opportunities in the warehouse rotate to provide different ways to be involved.

The holidays bring added jobs and projects as well as requests for specific winter related items:

- snow and rain boots,

-new socks,

-coats and warm clothing

-cold care items like infant and children’s tylenol.

With the holidays on the horizon, consider creative ways to contribute to the needs of others. How can we promote generosity and true “goodwill in our community?”

Perhaps donating time or material goods to With Love can be on the Christmas Wish List this year. It won’t be broken or forgotten and it definitely won’t add to the all consuming clutter.

Foster Family Day at Lee Farms!

The forecast predicted rain; however, there was only excitement in the air as foster families from all over the Portland area enjoyed an afternoon at Lee Farms.

With Love and the accounting firm Pittman Brooks, sponsored this “Foster Family Day out” event at Lee Farms. Nintey-nine people showed up to enjoy unlimited fall festival activities, complete with hot cider and donuts.

Foster mother Veronica Darling was one of the foster parents who enjoyed the day with her family. She and her husband have seven children in their home: three biological, one adopted and three foster. 

“The afternoon was not only fun, but it really honored our family.” Veronica says that she appreciates how With Love puts on events that include the whole family, not excluding her biological kids. 

“With Love has been awesome at honoring all of us all the time."

Her children range from the ages 5-14.

She and her husband have been foster parents for 12 years, beginning with a desire to adopt through first fostering.

Veronica was introduced to With Love through a church event a few years ago. She began volunteering in the warehouse as a leader, facilitating groups as they came in to organize and sort donations. 

She also began to receive the donations for her foster children.  

“The tangible support we receive from With Love is definitely so helpful. It’s amazing to be able to receive new or like new clothes every ninety days.” says Veronica. “Events like the pumpkin patch help foster parents feel less alone in this. We are acknowledged.”

Christa Insley is another foster mother who enjoyed the afternoon at Lee Farms. She has been a foster mom for 7 years, caring for 28 foster children; she eventually adopted her son at three years of age.

They have attended several foster family events. “They are always so much fun. The one at Lee Farms, my kids had a blast. My son said it was ‘the best day ever.’ It was nice to be able to include the whole family. My kids are still talking about it.”

On the way out, each family was gifted a Craft and Boogie kit, a halloween blanket  and some other seasonal goodies. 

The afternoon was a big success, and the hope is to make this an annual event. As always, With Love couldn’t do events like these without faithful supporters and advocates.

It was a day filled With Love and pumpkins!

And this time of year, there’s nothing better. :)

Summer Interns

Like many families during the summertime months, life is full of adventures, long days and later bedtimes.

With Love had it’s share of adventures and long days this summer. With the transition and relocation to their new facility, much of the summer months were spent packing, unpacking and organizing.

Added to this mix, With Love welcomed three interns and an intern coordinator. These four new additions stepped right into this busy energy, eager to gain experience and education in this non-profit world.

Taking their summer break from college, they desired to pour their time into learning about and assisting With Love.

To help direct this process and experience, Shanna Swatrz was hired as the summer intern coordinator. Shanna loved being able to guide these young ladies as they worked, learned and laughed together.

School has been in session for 3 weeks now; and these past three weeks I’ve just been exhaling.

“People have huge hearts and make big sacrifices to be foster families and they are under appreciated.”

— Shanna Swatrz, summer intern supervisor

Shanna remembers the day she said “yes” to this opportunity. “I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when I said yes to Allie. I just never expected to be around such strong, confident and hard working young women who did anything they were asked.” Shanna says she was impressed by how flexible and hard working the girls were and how much they accomplished together. 

“We had three young women from different backgrounds and they all worked well together and genuinely are friends now.”

Working together with a common vision and passion creates fast friendship and camaraderie.

“There were so many learning opportunities, times to forgive and figure out how to work together. It was truly a life changing, growing experience.” 

Some of the most memorable times for Shanna was watching the interns interact with the foster families and children. 

“My thoughts have drastically changed because you can’t judge people by where they live or socio economic status or ANYTHING!  … People have huge hearts and make big sacrifices to be foster families and they are under appreciated.”

As Shanna makes a big move to Florida this fall, she still plans on being involved at With Love whenever she visits Oregon. She truly has a big heart for these families and a true desire to serve and love.

Thank you, Shanna! Your leadership, hard work, and love for our staff is so appreciated. We needed you for this season. We are better because you said ‘yes.’

Intern Bri Brown is an organizational community major at George Fox University. She applied to intern at With Love because she herself grew up in the foster care system, and she has a heart and compassion for children in foster care and their families.  

“Dignity is a huge factor. Ever since I was in foster care I’ve referred to myself as a foster kid. But the wording at With Love is “a child in foster care” because they aren’t defined by their living situation.”

Bri loved working personally with the families. Time and time again she was impressed by the sacrifice and love families showed. “Once I did a pull for three brothers, ages 6,5,&4. … this family kept three brothers together and boys at that age are difficult and need extra shoes and clothes since they wear through them so fast. I made sure all the boys had blankets and toys that were specific to their likes and packed the oldest boy’s backpack for kindergarten.”

Another time Bri helped a man who had a month old baby with Downs Syndrom. “Foster care is messy and families that say yes to children with special needs have extra doctors appointments and a new learning curve. I love that the community we work with are so dedicated to the kids. It doesn’t matter how messy. I’m just in awe of how great these families are.”

Being on the other side of foster care now, Bri was able to see first hand the love, and she was thrilled to be apart of it. 

“I’ve always wanted to work with foster families and kids in foster care because of my own experience.”

Thank you Bri! Your hard work and creative spirit made a huge difference. Your art and carts will live on.

Paige Elkins took a summer break from Oregon State and her sociology degree to learn more about foster care and how a non profit operates. 

Paige said she wasn’t very familiar with foster care, but was amazed by the love she witnessed while volunteering.

“I thought I knew what the environment of a non-profit was like, but I think I was surprised by how involved the volunteers were.”

Paige began her internship during With Love’s move to a new facility. Not only she gain insight into the operations, but she also gained valuable “life skills” as well. 

“The volunteers at With Love are amazing and do so much to support foster families and kids in foster care.”

— Paige Elkins, summer intern

“The move provided space for a lot of hard work and new ideas. I am someone who thrives with structure and clear expectations, but I know that the world often doesn't work like that. With Love challenged me to be flexible, while also encouraging me to be confident and use my voice to ask good questions.”

As Paige transitions back to school to continue her education, she feels her summer at With Love broadened her perspective in so many ways.

“I am leaving With Love with a much better understanding of all that children in foster care go through and how much foster parents do to support these kids. I think I have a lot more respect for foster parents who take these children, often with little notice, and the sacrifices they make for them. I also understand the need that With Love fills to give children in foster care dignity and intentionality in such tangible ways.”

You are amazing Paige! Your poise, focus, and hard work got so many tasks accomplished.

Tamara Cluff, a  junior sociology major at Oregon State, interned at With Love because she was immediately drawn to the ‘compassionate and empowering nature’.

She has lots of experience working with families and volunteering for organizations in anticipation for a social work career. “With Love really appealed to me because of the impact and resources it provided for a group of under represented people.”

“I had no idea what to expect when I started this internship, but I was happily surprised with the empowering and uplifting environment that is fostered by all the super dedicated women who contribute endless support and hard work.”

Moving a whole warehouse to figuring out how to unfold a table, Tamara says her collaboration with the other interns, volunteers and employees at With Love was a wonderful, life changing experience. 

“I realized that families closest to the displaced child have to make huge sacrifices to help a child they were quickly placed with. I also learned about the supportive community and love given unconditionally. I was immediately humbled and overwhelmed with the way families worked so hard to get their kids the resources they needed.”

Tamara says her internship gave her a glimpse into the non-profit world and she hopes to use her sociology degree for this in the future. 

Tamara, your heart and influence at With Love will never be forgotten! Your laugh and zest for life brought so much joy to staff, volunteers, and foster families.

It’s inspiring that four women from different backgrounds, experiences and ages can come together for a few months and accomplish so much. It’s their love for the community they are serving that binds them together and enables them to accomplish what they did.

They would all say that the love they saw first hand from the foster families and volunteers was inspiring and energizing. It’s an atmosphere and environment they hope to continue to support and be a part of in the future.

Those long summer days may be gone for now, but the the door is always open to anyone who desires to experience first hand this type of community and a love that is truly life changing.

A New Home: A New Chapter

About once a month or so I’ll have a vivid dream about a house.

It is usually a house I’m familiar with; although in the dream I always discover a secret room tucked away in the back.

Upon opening the door, this new room is magnificent and it adds a lot to the home.

I can picture the room in my mind right now as I write.

It’s carpeted and furnished.

Stairs lead me down to it; I look upon it from an elevated view. 

Upon this realization of a new room, I am always excited and grateful.

I also have a sense that I knew all along this room belonged, yet somehow it was tucked away and missed until this very moment.

It feels more like home than any other room in my house. 

July 24, 2019 was the Open House for With Love’s new space. 

In my mind, it is more than a space; it is home. 

When I walked into With Love that beautiful July evening, that same sense of awe overcame me; it was that same feeling I experienced in my dreams.

 It was a familiar feeling. 

This is how it was always supposed to be.

This space exuded warmth, dignity and comfort.

I felt invited. 

I felt honored. 

I felt right at home. 

It embodies all the values of With Love. 

Beauty.

Order.

Honor.

It is a place for gathering and supporting; a place for foster families and children and volunteers.

There are wooden floors, paneled walls, and clean, organized shelves. 

There are rooms for every purpose: an office, a meeting room and even a space for small children to play while parents volunteer, making this experience accessible for all. 

My own little boys ran behind the tall shelves of toys. When I went to find them, I could hear them talking about their allowance money, strategizing how they were going to have enough money to buy some of these enticing  toys all around them. 

When I explained that they weren’t for sale and that we were not in a toy store, they looked at me a bit perplexed. “But these toys are all brand new!” 

They were absolutely correct in their observations; those toys were brand new, not second hand toss aways. The term Donations usually bring to mind piles of broken, worn or faded items. 

These toys were ones that my children would unwrap at a birthday party.

Near the area of toys were several shelves of neatly folded colorful blankets. 

They were soft and bright. 

There was a pattern and a theme for every child.

 I learned that there is a woman who comes faithfully every month and donates about 50 blankets she hand makes herself. 

What a beautiful testimony of love. This is what it’s all about though: community. With Love has always drawn so much community support; people want to contribute and be a part of the threads of change. 

People come with different hobbies, talents, interests and connections; they come to donate and supply. 

There is a place for everyone.

It’s a beautiful tapestry. 

Walking in the doors I immediately felt this passion when I was greeted by the three summer interns. I could tell they loved what they do and their energy was contagious. They shared the excitement of this transition, inviting me in as if it were their personal new home. 

Welcome Home With Love! This couldn’t be more perfect.

Perplexed by my reoccurring dream about my new room in my house,  I decided to do some research, to uncover whether there was any deeper meaning attached to it.

Upon investigation, I learned that a house in a dream usually represents The Self.

A discovery of a new room represents A New Horizon.

However, a discovery of a familiar room symbolizes an unveiling of something that was always meant to be.

Perhaps my dreams are for my personal growth and future; however, my feelings this night were similar and I couldn’t help but imagine that this new space was the beginning of a new chapter for With Love; this was a new space that was going to grow along with everything already ahead on the horizon.

Some pictures of the Grand Opening

By Tammy Biles

Here at Home

It felt like spiders sliding down my legs, one after another after another. If I didn’t know the feeling by now, I would have panicked; but after a few days in this Thailand heat, I recognized the sensation as beads of sweat making their way down my legs.

 I don’t sweat easily; there aren’t too many places in the world in which my body reacts like this by just standing upright.  But here I was, my water bottle slung over my shoulder, my hair pulled back and secured by a bandana, and before me lay a new world, one that I’ve seen only in covers of National Geographic.

A filthy pig grunted as she trotted across the dirt road; her four little piglets followed in a perfect line at her heels. Chickens pecked at the dust, like they were searching for something they lost.

 Children laughed, watching us, finding joy in these visitors to their quiet hillside tribe. 

They wore oversized shirts and tattered shorts; their bodies were coated with a thin layer of red dust. 

It was just another day in their hillside village,  nestled in the dense mountains of northern Thailand.

I didn’t know what to think of their thatched houses, held up by bamboo stilts, a protection against the monsoon rains that would be coming in the next few weeks.

 I pictured the people and children navigating their streets, shoeless and trudging about in the knee high mud that would result from the deluge.  

I watched again as three boys skipped and jumping, chasing their chickens and laughing at us foreigners in their midst.  Obviously unschooled and left to their own devices, I found myself wondering, “What would become of these children?” 

It was about 8 years ago when I learned the fate of many of these children in the hillside tribes in Thailand.  The poverty is so severe that many children are sold by family members out of sheer desperation, hoping that their decision will allow their child to eat and somehow fall upon a more promising future. 

It was the reason I came to Thailand, to see for myself the faces of this most vulnerable population. They are at the mercy of whoever is in charge, whoever has the power and position. 

I write about this because I just recently returned from this place, working with an organization that tries to prevent the sale of children from impoverished areas by proactively offering an alternative path of education and provision.  I left not feeling despair, but hopeful. In seeing and experiencing first hand the work that was taking place to help combat this problem, I felt that there was at least someone advocating for these precious children without a voice.  

My thoughts quickly turned to my home of Tualatin, Oregon. I began to consider the vulnerable population here at home. Where were the ones at the mercy of whoever held the power and position?

It was clear to me that children in foster care, children who are taken from their families, powerless, without a voice and often times without a warning, are among the most vulnerable people in our community.  Although foster care is in place to protect children, there are inevitably a lot of ways we, as a community, can come alongside and help make this a smoother, more nurturing experience. With Love immediately came to my mind as an example of an organization on the frontlines doing just this! 

A few days after my return to the States, I tuned in to a news segment on Straight Talk Oregon highlighting the “Foster Care Crisis in Portland.” 

My conclusions were confirmed; last year 11,445 Oregon Children spent at least one day in foster care; 7,546 children are there full time.

Upon investigation, Oregon foster care was deemed to be in a crisis condition. Findings showed that DHS offices were run down and uninviting; recruiting and maintaining reputable foster care families was a struggle.  

However,  the news segment featured two Oregon non profits who are on the frontlines helping change these conditions. Jillana Goble, a foster parent and founder of Embrace Oregon, spoke  about changing the feel and experiences of DHS offices for children in foster care. EmbraceOregon.org. Their work with welcome boxes and creating nurturing, welcoming environments in DHS offices is very inspiring; it is truly an example of caring for the vulnerable in our community. 

I was also pleased and excited to see  With Love’s founder and President Allie Roth interviewed about the changes With Love is making in the community. 

Allie, a foster parent herself, explained her concern for foster families in the community.  Many people truly want to care and welcome these little ones into their homes and families but they are burdened by the financial strain and unprepared for what is needed. 

A child in foster care deserves dignity; they need security and to know they are worthy of love.

Not only does With Love provide what is needed for children 0-6 years old, they also account for the individuality of that child. 

When a request is made for material goods, With Love also seeks to understand who that child is in order to prepare items that align directly with them; what Disney characters make them smile? Do they like horses or do they prefer trains? 

Care and thought goes into each delivery, ensuring that every family is equipped and every child is valued. 

Allie emphasized that With Love is truly a product of the community that comes around to support these efforts. Through donating, organizing, deliveries, shopping and cleaning, 1400 volunteers stepped up last year alone to do this hard work.

Additionally,  community partners donate large amounts of necessary materials too. 

An average delivery to a foster family is $1300.00. Furthermore, every three months foster families are eligible for another delivery to update wardrobe or supplement developmental needs. 

Deliveries can be dropped off within a 30 minute radius; however, if a foster family is beyond the delivery zone, they can arrange to have their needed materials collected and ready for them to pick up themselves. 

Last year, With Love was able to donate a million dollars worth of products. 

Watching this news segment made me feel extremely thankful. I of course already knew about all With Love was doing in the community to help the foster care system. But seeing their mission and impact broadcasted in such a way made me hopeful. 

 Naively, I looked at the vulnerable population in a third world country and thought that the need for providing dignity and hope to such a community was so far away. 

However, there is a need right outside my door. 

Community involvement has never been more important to make a growing mission like With Love continue to do the good work here. 

I am so grateful for the people who donate time, materials and love in order to create a better world. 

Perhaps extra summer time with your family has you wondering what you can do together to impact the community for the better. Check out numerous opportunities at With Love.