Happy New Year City Ministries Community, A new year has begun filled with anticipation and excitement for City Ministries! We are looking forward to serving more children and families through […]
Dear City Ministries Community, We hope these last few months of the year have been enjoyable for you, as balancing the needs of family, work and the demands of the […]
Have you ever noticed how many Christmas songs connect being home with the magic of the holidays? “Home for the Holidays” by Perry Como. “Heading Home for the Holidays” by […]
When it comes to finding placements for foster siblings, it’s not always easy. As a foster parent, you’ve already done a kind thing by opening your home to a child […]
Sarah felt a mix of joy and nervousness when she welcomed her foster child, Jamal. Jamal was a lively and loving seven-year-old with a heartwarming smile. Sarah was excited to […]
Dr. John DeGarmo was right when he said, “Not everyone can be a foster parent, but everyone can help a foster child.” This quote never meant more to me than […]
Fall is right around the corner which means so is back to school! With back to school so close, it’s good to be on the look out for signs that […]
New home. New family. New friends. And now, a new school. If you’ve ever been the new kid in class, you know how daunting and overwhelming this feeling can be. […]
It feels like there are always changes in the world of foster care. The latest changes are a series of House Bills introduced on July 1st, 2023, that impact the […]
Before going any further, remember this when it comes to parenting your biological children and children experiencing the foster care system– none of it can be entirely fair. Take that […]
Raising kids has never been harder. And I’m not just saying that because I’m raising a few of my own. Although that does have a big impact on my stance. […]
Parenting a foster child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) can be challenging. Understanding and learning how you can support your foster child is the best way to help them succeed. […]
May is a big month for City Ministries! It is Foster Care Awareness month, and we are kicking off the month with GiveBIG this week (May 2-3rd)! Child […]
Are you caring for a foster child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? If so, you know it can leave you feeling stressed, exhausted, and frustrated. Every day feels like […]
The sun is shining, days are longer, and flowers are starting to peek their heads out. Spring is here and Easter is only a few short days away! Easter is […]
When it comes to foster parenting, no two placements are the same. What worked for your last foster child may not have the same impact on your current placement. And […]
Spring is here! And with the start of spring comes the age-old tradition of spring cleaning. It can feel so great to spend a day decluttering, organizing, and tidying as […]
Deciding to become a foster parent meant you were taking on a few roles and responsibilities. For starters, you’re their primary caregiver and support system. You also provide them with […]
You’ve been waiting for a foster placement for a few months now. The room’s set up and there are a few articles of clothing in the closet for both a […]
“Where did I come from?” you hear your little one ask out of the blue one day. Your mind starts racing. You’re thinking, “He’s only four. Does he even really […]
As a foster parent, you’re no stranger to the epic meltdown. Here’s what I know from my time as a foster parent-tantrums are unavoidable. Your best chance for surviving these […]
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday! Through our Child Placement Agency 𝟭00+ 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟵 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱. This Giving Tuesday, we are trying to raise $10,000 to place […]
There are a lot of misunderstandings about fostering and what it takes to become licensed. Here are just a few common myths that get resolved, showing why becoming a foster […]
As a newly adoptive parent, you may be asking if it is in the child’s best interest to tell them they were adopted? And if so, how would you even […]
It’s gotten worse. The meltdowns are greater and last so much longer. The emotional responses are explosive, and sometimes completely unpredictable. It feels like the smallest thing can set your […]
City Kids School is hosting its very FIRST Bike-A-Thon FUNdraiser on Thursday, October 13th at 11:00 am – 3:00 pm! The Bike-A-Thon FUNdraiser is a community event, with parent participation […]
As a foster parent, you know you can never have too many tools in your tool belt. Parenting is hard enough. But being a foster parent? Well, that’s a whole […]
You are a Caucasian family with an American background and culture who recently got licensed as a licensed foster family. You are eagerly waiting for your next placement and are […]
Another negative. Not again. And this was your last viable egg. This pregnancy test result marks the end of a dream you’ve held onto tight. You’ve gone through three rounds […]
Not everyone is called to be a full-time foster parent or to adopt. And that’s okay! There are many other ways you can lend your time, care, and resources to […]
“I want my mommy!” You’re awakened from a dead sleep. You look at the clock. It’s 2 am and this is the fourth night in a row you’ve gotten a […]
One of the final steps of the foster care application process is the home study. Getting ready for the home study may feel overwhelming and intimidating to any eager family […]
Summer break is well underway. Are you feeling overwhelmed by suddenly having your kids home all day, every day? You’re not the only one. For a lot of parents, summer […]
It’s on your to-do list. One day you want to help children in foster care. As soon as your life slows down, the kids get a little older, and your […]
The sun is slowly starting to peek out from the clouds which means that summer is on its way. Bring on the outdoor activities! But with the sun starting to […]
Summer is less than two weeks away! What does this mean? Sunny days and outdoor activities for children to keep themselves occupied and having fun in the sun! And what’s […]
Happy May Day! Please join us in celebrating National Foster Care Awareness Month! City Ministries began our foster care journey in September of 2007 when we broke ground on twenty-two […]
The numbers of people attempting suicide, making plans for suicide, and seriously thinking about suicide has been rising the past few years and it is affecting not just adults but […]
Goodbyes are always difficult, especially with a child that has had a long placement in your home. The transition is almost always a mixture of bittersweet moments of letting go […]
Working at a foster care agency, I have had many single people approach me and ask, “Is it a requirement to be married in order to become a foster parent?” […]
Seattle is Alive Prayer Summit –2/25/2022 Father, we come to you in name of Jesus. Giving you all the glory and honor. Exalting your name above all the earth. In […]
City Ministries is praying for Ukraine during this devastating time of war. Even though we are thousands of miles away our hearts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine. […]
Forming an attachment with a child entering your home is crucial to their mental health, ability to thrive, and overall well-being. Coming from backgrounds of trauma, unsafe environments, or unsafe […]
Each year 440,000 kids enter foster care and have been exposed to some form of trauma. “The trauma suffered by these children is not benign. It can result in serious […]
It is the most wonderful time of the year, and the team at City Ministries can attest this to be especially true this holiday season! It was wonderful to resume a […]
Generosity is in full swing here at CKS with a couple of exciting events! The first, is the partnership with LWSD food drive for Pantry Packs. The second, is our […]
Happy November everyone! We are all one step closer to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Along with ushering in the holidays comes ushering in a plethora of holiday traditions. Every household […]
As we enter the holiday season, especially in this month of November, many people take time to reflect on all the wonderful things they have to be thankful for. With Orphan Sunday approaching in a few short days (November 7th), here at City Ministries […]
The mission of City Ministries is to see foster children cared for in safe, loving, stable, faith-filled families focused on permanence and stability for the children through restoration of their birth and/or extended […]
The arrival of a foster child in your home can be an exciting and anxious time. Here are a few tips to help in welcoming a child into your home. -If possible, try […]