The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Everyone wants to serve foster kids, but sometimes it's hard to know how. There are many ways to serve in Compelled to Care. You can serve at large events, write encouraging cards or even help organize gift drives for foster kids and help organize donations.
Everyone wants to serve foster kids, but sometimes it's hard to know how. There are many ways to serve in Compelled to Care. You can serve at large events, write encouraging cards or even help organize gift drives for foster kids and help organize donations.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
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We believe that youth who have experienced foster care are resilient and are walking out their overcomer's story. We desire to build community and connect youth to programs that will launch them into adulthood with success!
YOUTH PROGRAM
Our desire as a family ministry is to support kids affected by foster care from babies in childcare all the way up to kids entering young adulthood and aging out of the foster care system. For our youth program we provide community through monthly leadership training, youth service projects and connection through sharing a meal over meaningful conversation at our monthly Family Dinners. We partner with Hillsdale College to inspire higher education with training to make it happen. We also partner with Independent Living Skills and Extended Foster Care to support young adults aging out of foster care with training and resources.​
MONTHLY SMALL GROUP
Youth can make connections at their own small group at our monthly Family Dinners.
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We have classrooms for kids ages NB-17 years old separated by age. Our youth class begins at age 11. Eleven-year-olds in 5th grade can decide to attend the youth class or the 5th grade class.
Youth will attend a small group with about 6-12 youth and multiple trauma-informed adults. Youth can expect to play games and do small group curriculum. This year we are going through Alpha Youth, a biblically based, small group, conversational curriculum.
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Learn more about Family Dinners and Alpha Youth:
YOUTH LEADER TRAINING
Every month we offer a leadership or college training, new experience or service project. An off-campus release form must be signed at drop off. If additional supervision is needed we ask that a parent, case-aid or caregiver stay during the event. Registration is required for each training. More information and registration links will be posted on the events page closer to each training. Membership is not required to attend these youth events. Here's what's coming up...
FRIDAY, MARCH 28TH - COMPELLED TO CARE VOLUNTEER YOUTH LEADER TRAINING
​Learn how to fill out an application and get volunteer training so that you can serve at Compelled to Care events. Speaker: Ashley Wambach, Executive Director of Compelled to Care
Location: New Bridge Community Church in Olympia | 6:30-8:00PM
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TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH - HILLSDALE COLLEGE TRAINING: APPLY TO ANY COLLEGE AND GET IN!
Learn how 8th grade affects your college application and how to come up with a plan even if your close to graduation and have a low GPA.
Speaker: Jolie Ballantyne, Associate Director of Admissions at Hillsdale College
Location: New Bridge Community Church in Olympia | 6:30-8:00PM
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SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH - YOUTH SERVICE PROJECT: STUFF EASTER EGGS
Stuff 1000 Easter Eggs for our "You've Been Egged" community holiday game where volunteers drive and egg our member's yards and front doors on Easter Eve.
Leader: Ashley Wambach, Executive Director of Compelled to Care
Location: New Bridge Community Church in Olympia | 2:00-4:00PM
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THURSDAY, MAY 8TH - CAMPERS COFFEE TRAINING
Learn how to support yourself (and eventually your family) through entrepreneurship while blessing the city you live in. Learn how Campers Coffee sells coffee to raise money for City Campers a ministry that serves people living on the streets of Olympia. This hands-on training will include a coffee roasting demonstration and an opportunity to make products. Bring $10 for a drink and tip.
Speaker: Jonathan Nalywaiko, CEO of Campers Coffee and CEO of City Campers
Location: Campers Coffee in Lacey | Time TBD
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MONDAY, JUNE 30TH - YOUTH SERVICE PROJECT: MAKE CITY CAMPERS HYGIENE BAGS
Learn how City Campers serves people living on the streets of Olympia while making hygiene bags that will be given out by the City Campers team on Tuesday night. Bring $10 for a drink and a tip.
Speaker: Jonathan Nalywaiko, CEO of Campers Coffee and CEO of City Campers
Location: Campers Coffee in Lacey | Time TBD
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FRIDAY, JULY 25TH - HILLTOP STUDIO TRAINING: PAINT POTTERY
Learn the art of "launching" while painting pottery. Learn how to face your fear of launching into new experiences whether that's business, higher education, a sport or whatever you're inspired to do!
Speaker: Anna Warner, owner of Hilltop Studio
Location: New Bridge Community Church | 6:00-7:30pm
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 12TH - HILLSDALE COLLEGE TRAINING​​
Speaker, topic, time and location TBD
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SEPTEMBER - TBD
Check back for more info
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH - HILLSDALE COLLEGE TRAINING
Speaker, topic, time and location TBD
NOVEMBER - TBD
Check back for more info
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DECEMBER - TBD
Check back for more info
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Register for each training individually on the events page.
HILLSDALE COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP
Hillsdale College has a goal of empowering people with an overcomer's story with higher education through their Frederick Douglas Leadership Program.
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As a member of Hillsdale's Ambassador program we host trainings with for youth, young adults and leaders in education to promote higher education to kids who may not be able to go to college without coaching and scholarship.
Hillsdale College has many scholarships, including two for kids who have experienced foster care - even if they didn't age out of care.
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Every year we have the opportunity to nominate three high school students for their annual Frederick Douglas Leadership Conference at Hillsdale College in Michigan. Transportation, food and lodging is provided if accepted.
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For more information about this program email Jolie Ballantyne, Associate Director of Admissions at jballantyne@hillsdale.edu
VOLUNTEER YOUTH LEADERS
Youth can volunteer with Compelled to Care
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We welcome youth 11+ to join us in serving. This opportunity is open to ALL youth - even those who are not a part of foster, adoptive and kinship families.
Volunteer hours for school can be earned and it is up to the youth to keep track of their hours and paperwork.
Volunteers must:
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Fill out a youth volunteer form
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Attend a volunteer training
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Parent permission is required to volunteer
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Provide three references that we will check
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Background checks will be run at age 18
YOUNG ADULTS
We partner with Independent Living Skills (ILS) and Extended Foster Care (EFC) to support young adults transitioning into adulthood after foster care.
​Crockpot Cooking Club
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We are hosting a cooking club for youth and young adults in ILS to learn how to extend their grocery budget because many young adults experience food insecurity near the end of the month. Participants will share a meal then learn how to cook it. Each participant will walk away with enough for a meal and leftovers. Crockpots are provided during the first class and additional kitchen items will be provided at each class so that participants can build their kitchen as they learn new skills. Participants will also have access to the food pantry at the end of the night.
Classes are the first Thursday of every month at 6:00pm beginning May 1st at True Grace Church in Lacey. Registration is required and will be posted on the events page.
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This class is in partnership with Thurston County ILS, True Grace Church and The Wishing Well Foundation
Celebrating graduation & preparing for a new home
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For over a decade Compelled to Care has partnered with DCYF's Extended Foster Care Program by providing the Foster Graduation Gift Drive for Thurston County youth graduating from high school and aging out of traditional foster care. Some youth continue to live with kinship family or their current foster homes, some move into a dorm room and many move out to live with roommates. Most youth start this transition with very little housewares for their new place. Every year the local church and community members have rallied around these youth to purchase items from their wish lists for their new homes. Wish Lists are available in May.
EFC Holiday Gift Drive
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We partner with EFC to provide holiday gifts to young adults in extended foster care. Most young adults are forgotten during the holidays so we post an Amazon Wish Lists in November so that the community can give. Once all the gifts arrive they are delivered by the EFC social workers to each young adult.
To learn more about the youth program or to get involved email ashley@compelledtocare.com