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Holiday Giving: Support a Child in Foster Care

SMMC Philanthropy
HOLIDAY GIVING: SUPPORT A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE

By: Sarah Dobrovolny | December 7, 2023

It’s December: that time of year when we turn inward, cuddle up, and focus on family. It’s also a time of giving and giving back. This month, SMMC Philanthropy is supporting families who need a little extra love right now: foster kids and their caregivers. Want to help out? Now through December 12, you can shop off MFCA’s Amazon Holiday Wish List or their Stocking Stuffer Wish List.

I had the pleasure of connecting with Marin Foster Care Association’s Executive Director, Ashley Hurd, to talk about the incredible work her organization does and how SMMC members can help the families they serve during this holiday season and all year through.

In Conversation with Marin Foster Care Association

What is the single most important thing you want everyone to know about Marin Foster Care Association or foster care in general?
That we have foster kids right here in Marin and they need us so they can thrive. I also want everyone to know that they can play a role in the foster care system in some way.

For someone who is unfamiliar with the foster care system, how would you describe what it is and how it works?
The foster care system is something that was put in place to protect and take care of foster kids temporarily until it is safe for them to return home or become adopted. Foster kids did not do anything wrong to end up in foster care. The goal of foster care is reunification with a biological parent or family, but if that is not possible, then a loving adoptive family will be matched with the child.

Is there anything about the foster care system in Marin County that differs from what you described in the above question?
Due to Marin being a small county, we are able to truly make an impact on the lives of more than 80 kids in foster care as well as dream big for their future and help change the trajectory of their lives.

How would you describe the foster care needs in Marin County?
Many kids come into foster care with literally the clothes on their back and no other belongings. Our resource center in San Rafael is stocked with donated items from our community, so they can get school supplies, pajamas, toiletries, toys, clothes, etc. In addition, being a foster family is not an easy task—it is a huge sacrifice—so our foster families need our support and know they have the community behind them.

How and why did you become involved in Marin Foster Care Association?
When our biological son was two years old, my husband and I wanted to grow our family, so we turned to foster care. We figured we could help multiple kiddos during a really difficult time in their life. A year into fostering I realized how critical it is to have a strong support system when fostering so we dove into Marin Foster Care. I then quickly joined the board and a year later became the Board President. Four years later I took the role of Executive Director. I have loved watching the organization grow into what it is today.

What does a typical day look like for you at Marin Foster Care Association?
There is no one day that looks the same; that is why I love working at Marin Foster Care! It usually starts with checking in with team members, finding out what is happening and if there is any foster family news that we should all know about. My focus is usually on marketing, fundraising, and any projects we have going on—like the holiday wish lists happening right now—as well as the new adventures we’re launching. We recently purchased a ten unit apartment building for “aging out” foster youth.

When you think about the work that your organization does, what are you most proud of?
I am beyond proud about how we’ve adapted to what our families need and how we’ve grown over the last five years. We went from a $250,000 budget to $950,000 budget. I am also proud of how we’ve launched resource centers in three Bay Area counties within the last three years.

Are there any myths about foster care that you’d like to bust?
That we don’t have foster kids in Marin. All of the nine kiddos we’ve had in care in our home have come from cities in Marin from Mill Valley to Novato.

What would you say to someone who thinks they might be interested in becoming a foster parent one day?
I would say go for it! What do you have to lose? If it doesn’t work out or it’s not for you, at least you tried. Start by attending an orientation which occurs once a month to learn more about what it might be like.

Tell us about the December holiday wish lists. Why is it important to the families you serve?
Our holiday wish lists are super important to our organization and to our foster kids. We really try to make the holidays bright for our kids as it can be a difficult time to be away from their biological families. Our holiday drives are also critical in that they help stock our resource center for many months into the new year, so that when a foster child enters the system, they can choose something new from our stock.

Is there anything else you’d like SMMC members to know?
Everyone can play a role in foster care even if you can’t be a foster parent - just ask me! I challenge each one of you to get involved in some way even if it’s just sharing this interview with one person. Awareness is critical to what we do.

Ashley Hurd grew up in San Diego and now resides in San Rafael with her husband, energetic and caring son, as well as a foster baby or toddler when they have a placement. She went to Vanguard University in Orange County, where she majored in Sociology. She has run an event planning company specializing in nonprofit fundraisers where she and her team have raised millions of dollars for worthy causes around the Bay Area for the last 15 years.

Ashley became a foster parent over 7 years ago and believes she is truly called to support and invest in the foster care system. She is all-in and passionate about changing the trajectory of the lives of foster youth. In her free time, Ashley enjoys playing tennis and spending time outside near a beach, if possible.

Sarah Dobrovolny lives in San Anselmo with her husband Spencer and their 20-month-old Sadie. Sarah is a Stay At Home Mom and serves on the SMMC Board as Director of Philanthropy. Sarah also volunteers as SMMC’s SAHM group leader, co-leader of the San Anselmo/Fairfax town group, coordinator for Little Movers & Shakers, on the 2023 Events team, and as a copy editor for The Crier.