"Fostering the future"

Can foster kids thrive without community support?

Probably not. Even the best foster parents, with stable homes and adequate personal and financial resources, are hard-pressed to meet all the needs of a child whose world has been turned upside down by the realities of child abuse and neglect. The state covers a mere 60% of the costs of basic care, leaving foster parents to face a chronic gap.

The mission of the YMCA of Greater Seattle is "Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body."

Tess Thomas is a long-standing Board member and does foster care in the Seattle area and fosters teens with a myriad of difficult backgrounds and situations. Tess’ home was featured in a documentary “Take This Heart” sponsored by the Casey Foundation to promote foster care and educate for public awareness of foster issues. Tess continues to serve in an advisory capacity on several boards and commissions regarding youth in out of home care. She has authored a book “The Love Returns”. Ms Thomas has been a foster parent for over 14 years.