By Sophie Hauth | Contributing Writer
In the late 1800s, Portland faced a crisis of homeless and abandoned youth who had little support. At the time, the common response of the government was to incarcerate or institutionalize them. However, our founder, Thomas Lamb Eliot, refused to give up on these kids. In 1885, he rallied Portland’s leaders to establish the Boys & Girls Aid Society of Oregon, an organization whose mission was to obtain legal custody of at-risk youth and place them in private foster homes. Today, there is a shortage of foster homes in NE Portland and Boys & Girls Aid (BGA) is looking to recruit new foster family volunteers to support these children.
Beyond well-documented improvements in education and career outcomes, our foster parents give children the love and consistency they need to form lasting relationships and achieve a secure future. Few acts of service can change a life so completely.
Youth in the program may be anywhere from 4-21 years old. Foster parents must be able to pass a background check, show financial stability exclusive of the foster care stipend, have a valid driver’s license, have a reliable vehicle to transport youth, and be able to provide a separate bedroom for youth with a window and a door. Foster parents provide food, shelter, clothing, and activities. They also communicate with BGA staff and Oregon Department of Human Services caseworkers and lawyers, as needed.
We offer extensive support to all of our foster parents, including 24/7 staff availability, financial assistance, and paid time off when needed. Whether you can commit to a full-time placement or just a few days each month, we have flexible fostering options that can fit your schedule.
By becoming a foster parent with Boys & Girls Aid, you can provide the nurturing foundation that empowers a child to thrive and lead a fulfilling life. For more information, visit boysandgirlsaid.org/fostercare or contact our Recruitment & Certification Coordinator, Daisy Pesak, at 503-258-7932 or daisy@ bgaid.org.
As a Recruitment & Certification Specialist at Boys & Girls Aid, Sophie Hauth (she/ her) guides and supports families throughout their journey to becoming foster parents, from attending an information session to completing their certification and welcoming a youth into their home.