Stories and News

When Amara wrapped up the first phase of our Community Engagement Process where we directly engaged people with lived experience with the foster care system about how we could best leverage our undeveloped land in Pierce County, we had no idea a global pandemic was just around the corner, about to turn the world on its head.  After a brief pause, we’re ready to start the next phase – and we’ll need you with us. 

At Amara, we believe that we have a role in supporting youth in foster care to thrive by supporting relationships and authentic connections that center Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ identities.  

Please join us in welcoming Scarlett Aldebot-Green as she embarks on her first weeks as Amara's Chief Executive Officer! Scarlett shares some of her thoughts about Amara in our 100th year, child welfare and family wellbeing, and her role as a mother and an advocate.

“I wish this program was around when I started fostering!” This is just one sentiment Danielle Hammond, Amara's Child Screening and Family Support Specialist for Amara hears when she connects with caregivers. Read more about the impactful work Danielle does to support development of youth in foster care.

We’ve partnered with Alliance CaRES (a program of the University of Washington’s Alliance For Child Welfare Excellence) to provide support to caregivers across the state of Washington who identify as LGBTQIA+, are caring for a youth who identifies as LGBTQIA+, or are caring for a relative or someone they had a close relationship with before

We are thrilled that the Washington State legislature passed the “Strengthening parent-child visitation during child welfare proceedings” bill (HB 1194) that officially went into effect on July 25, 2021.

Devon and James began their foster care journey with the intention of adopting a baby. But something happened along the way: the couple fell in love with foster care and quickly realized the tremendous impact they could have on children and families as foster parents.

The Board of Directors of Amara is pleased to announce the selection of Scarlett Aldebot-Green as its new Chief Executive Officer. Scarlett comes to Amara with extensive experience in nonprofit and government leadership. Scarlett’s official first day at Amara will be Monday, August 9, 2021. Until then, Jason Gortney will remain as Interim CEO.

We're peeling back the curtain on foster care and adoption! Join us on June 7th from 4:00-5:00pm for a critical conversation with key community members about how supporting kinship caregivers (typically relatives) is best for children and families experiencing foster care and a necessary step towards racial equity within child welfare.