We met in college as leaders in a social / service based organization- eventually we became friends and then more. We got married as we were finishing undergrad, and ended up expecting our first child soon after (earlier than planned). As being foster parents was our plan, we began classes before our first was born. We became licensed while still in our early twenties and have had 13 placements since then. Doing this difficult job together has made us better partners.

We have had many adventures together, all over the US and a few international trips as well. Our most impactful journey has been that of parenthood. We have encountered more than we ever imagined when we first started- but we kept our resolve, became a stronger team, and together are taking on serious issues within the child welfare system. Local media has covered some of our advocacy, which can be referenced for context.

It would go towards legal fees for our ongoing litigation due to the illegal separation of our adopted son from his biological brother by the local children’s services agency. This separation was only possible due to serious violations of laws which require seeking relatives and placing siblings together. We have taken a public stance (see media coverage) on the harm done to the children in our lives and are pursuing litigation to try to correct outcomes. We hope this will also help others.