Every child deserves stability, opportunity, and a community that shows up for them—but for many youth in our own county’s foster care system, those things are not guaranteed.

Right now, there are over 400 foster youth in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties navigating frequent transitions, limited resources, and a lack of consistent support. At the same time, there are foster families who want to keep opening their homes—but too often, they burn out because they’re trying to do it alone.

That’s where Every Child steps in.

Through initiatives like HOPE Groups—small teams of dedicated volunteers who provide one-on-one, consistent support—foster families are able to stay in it longer, creating more stability for the youth who need it most.
Because when foster families are supported, they stay in it—and that means more stability for kids.

And that stability is critical. Without it, many youth who age out of the system face homelessness, unemployment, and in many cases incarceration.

However, HOPE Groups are currently unfunded, which limits how many families can be supported at a time. Our mission is to bridge that gap, ensuring that no foster family has to do this alone—and that every child has the support they deserve.

2026 Hoops for Hope

Bringing Community Together to Support Youth in Foster Care