Stories and News - Amara

Stories and News

We believe in the power of stories.

There is nothing we can say that is more powerful than what our families and their kids say in their own words. Watch, read, and listen to their stories and experiences — and stay in the know about the latest happenings at Amara.

A Network of Family: Katie and Caitlin’s Story

“I feel like our lives have been really enriched, but it was always in the purpose of keeping the girls connected to their people. That has felt like we’ve forged really amazing relationships with their birth families and it’s been incredible.”

See Their Story
Tommy

Local Barber Making a Big Difference for Kids in Foster Care

Tommy Andrade’s mantra is: “If you want to make an impact, you don’t have to change the whole world. You can plant a seed in your own community.” For him, this means supporting kids and families in foster care. Tommy is a barber and will offer free haircuts to kids in foster and kinship care
Happy Multicultural Hispanic Soccer Player Outdoor In Sunny Day

Jeremy’s Journey of Growth

Oftentimes, children impacted by foster care struggle to cope with the trauma that comes from being separated from their families. For these kids, their entire life has been turned upside down, leaving them feeling stressed and anxious. Almost immediately, they must adapt to living in a house that smells different, eating food that tastes unusual,
Fcp Hb 1204 Bill Signing

A Big Day for Amara’s Family Connections Program

Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 1204, better known as the “Implementing the Family Connections Program” bill, into law April 20, 2023. This means that Amara’s Family Connections Program is now a permanent program, serving parents and caregivers involved in the child welfare system. Several Amara staff testified in support of this important bill, including
Stock photo - little girl and puppy

Lilianna’s Story

At Amara, our foster caregivers and caseworkers go the extra mile for kids and families involved in the child welfare system. They not only navigate multiple foster journeys, they blaze new paths forward in connection and healing. One of our foster families is on the road to reunification for a child in their care for
Speaking Of Change Series Logo - Yellow circle with Speaking of Change written in the middle and a connected blue line around the edge

Speaking of Change in Foster Care and Adoption Series

We're peeling back the curtain on foster care and adoption! Join us on March 30th from 12:00-1:00pm as we take a deep dive into what our foster care program actually does for kids and families, what makes Amara’s approach unique, and what we’ve learned as we’ve transformed our approach over the past decade.
Katy Klein

When Inspiration Calls – A TAFI Story

We are grateful for the incredible and selfless dedication of all our volunteers. Those who have been working on The Adoption Files Initiative (TAFI) have spent thousands of hours reviewing hundreds of decades-old adoption files from many years ago when many adoptions were secretive. Our volunteers’ work, along with the dedication of Amara staff members,
Pierce County Council

Amara Presents to Pierce County Council Human Services Committee

We love being in community and sharing about our work for kids and families. Nicole Mazen, Amara’s Chief Program and Policy Officer, and Julie Hoffman, our Pierce County Early Childhood Court Program Coordinator, recently presented about our programs and impact in Pierce County to the Human Services Committee at the Pierce County Council. Amara and
Family,having,fun,while,blowing,bubbles,with,daughter,at,park

Amara Opens New Family Resource Center

Essential concrete goods and helpful information about local resources can be difficult for families to find. Last week Amara opened our new Family Resource Center in our Tacoma office. On our first day we provided groceries for a family and provided housing resources to help keep another family in their home. By providing families with
Family,of,three,having,fun,together,in,a,field

Amara Launches Parent FOCUS Program

This week, in partnership with the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Amara launches a new program to strengthen families in the Aberdeen and Spokane areas and help prevent the need for foster care. Our Parent FOCUS (Family Outreach, Connections, and Unconditional Support) program supports families who have been referred by the state for