Hope & Homey

What a wonderful blessing it was when I seized the opportunity for a Colorado Springs getaway weekend to serve along side Crystal and Jeremiah for Hope & Home's summer fund raiser called The Lemonade Brigade.  We have contributed to Hope & Home in a variety of ways; supporting all of their efforts to love on children. It was great fun to be a "Hope & Homey" last weekend, to directly experience the happiness that was poured over the children and foster families!



This year's Lemonade Brigade more than doubled in size, both in attendance and in fundraising. On Saturday, May 17th, more than 400 people poured in the entrance of Rock Ledge Ranch to stand together on behalf of kids in foster care. The day kicked off early in the morning with Hope & Home staffers showing up at 5:30 A.M. to make sure everything would be perfect for our guests! At 7 A.M. the registration for runners opened up and families began arriving. At 8 A.M., we were opened in prayer by Hope & Home CEO, Ross Wright, followed by the commencement of the run. The walkers followed at 9 A.M. and then awards were given out to fastest runners and top fundraisers.


I was part of Crystal's "Starbucks Tribute Band" team in honor of Crystal & Jeremiah's beloved and missed pet, Starbucks (see 3/2/2014 post), our team was first place for fundraising, it was a sweet remembrance of how Crystal & Jeremiah loved on their "dog/son" and how he brought happiness to the family.
 
Hopefully both Eddie and I can be there next year as "Hope & Homeys". 

Hope & Home has a special way for raising kids; called "Love to Nurture," and they teach it to all of our foster parents and staff. Tough kids, withdrawn kids, good kids who sometimes just mess up--every child will respond to this gentle yet effective system of discipline and encouragement.

It was created by Hope & Home's executive director, Ross Wright, who saw it reach and do wonders for even the most hardened kids that he met during his years working with emotionally troubled youth in various medical facilities. Out of all the foster children who get adopted in Colorado, fully 19 percent will "blow out" or fail, and yet nearly 100 percent of the adoptions by Hope & Home families succeed.  After teaching "Love to Nurture" to hundreds of foster parents and seeing its remarkable effect on families, Ross folded the techniques and lessons into a book called "Kids in Crisis: A Workable Plan for Successful Parenting." It was published by B&H Publishing Co. and has received praise from parents and child welfare experts alike. The principles and techniques in the book make up the core of 12 hours of Love to Nurture classes during initial certification training, and are woven throughout every topic that they teach

Here are two blogs that sprung from Hope & Home to check out -
Blooming Bird
by Audrey Frye

Blooming Bird is written by Audrey Frye, a teen girl who was adopted out of foster care at age 18. After reporting to the Department of Human Services several times about the poor treatment of her brother and sisters in their birth home, she, as quoted in her blog, heard the best words she has ever heard, "We believe you." They were removed from their birth home and placed with the Frye family who has since adopted all four of the children. Audrey's transparency and honesty when talking about her life experiences is inspiring and moving. Read her blogs by visiting www.iambloomingbird.com   
 

Living Love to Nurture
by Farrah Frye

Farrah and her husband adopted four teenagers out of foster care. Never having had children prior, they jumped feet-first into the "Love to Nurture" parenting model that was taught to them by Hope & Home, the foster care agency they were certified by. They have seen so much progress in their children and have found incredible success by using LTN. The Living Love to Nurture Blog is all about giving people a sneak peek into the life of a Love to Nurture parent. She hopes that her blog will inspire other parents to use the LTN principles that have been so helpful in their family. Read her blog by visiting www.livinglovetonurture.com