Every child
deserves
to stay.
638 children stayed with their siblings last year. Come help us do it again.
1,247
children served across 4 counties last year
2025 Annual Report
Real families. Real voices.
Real change.
Since 2009, Hearth has worked alongside foster families, youth, volunteers, and community partners to keep children connected to the people who love them. These are their stories.
"I'd fostered before, but Hearth was the first time someone called me the week after placement just to ask how I was doing. Not the child — me."
Darnell & Keisha Washington
Foster Parents · 4 years
"The supply kit showed up on the first day of school. My kid walked in with a new backpack. That's everything."
Priya Ramachandran
Foster Parent · 2 years
"I aged out at 18. Hearth found me a mentor and a couch to sleep on while I figured out community college. I'm a junior now."
Marcus Okafor
Formerly Fostered · Age 21
"My company sponsored the supply drive last year. I've sponsored a lot of things. This is the only one where I got a handwritten thank-you from a nine-year-old."
Sandra Kowalski
Business Sponsor · Kowalski Hardware
$40
covers one child's school supplies for an entire year
Every kit. Every time.
"I referred three kids to Hearth last school year. Two of them finally had stable housing by Thanksgiving. That doesn't happen without this organization."
Tomás Guerrero
School Counselor · Lincoln Middle School
"We almost got separated. My little brother and me. Hearth fought for us to stay together. He still calls me every Sunday."
Aisha Thompson
Formerly Fostered · Age 24
"Volunteering here isn't charity. It feels more like showing up for your own family."
Jim & Carol Petersen
Volunteers · 6 years running
"The gala last year raised enough to keep two sibling groups together who would have been split across county lines. Two."
Brianna Osei-Mensah
Board Member & Donor
"I just showed up to help pack boxes one Saturday. That was three years ago. I haven't missed a month since."
Yuki Tanaka
Monthly Volunteer · Supply Drive
"These aren't statistics. I know their names. I know what grade they're in. I know what they want to be when they grow up."
Rev. Claudette Barnes
Community Partner · First Unity Church
638
siblings kept together — not split apart by the system
Come help us do it again
Ready to make a difference?
Volunteer at an upcoming event, make a donation, or simply learn more about who we are.
You belong
in this room.
The coffee will already be on. Folding chairs in a circle. Tell us how you're coming so we can save your seat.