THE GORGE — May is National Foster Care Month, a time to acknowledge and appreciate the work of the families and parents who provide support, safety, and stability to youth in foster care. On May 14, The Next Door Inc. will host a special event to honor these incredible individuals who open their hearts and their homes to youth in our Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program.

This month also provides an opportunity to shine a light on the foster care system and aims to raise awareness for the emotional, behavioral, and/or medical needs of children and teens. Most youth in our TFC program, ages 6-18, have been abused or neglected and function developmentally younger than their biological age. Through trauma-informed care, these youth can heal, grow, and develop with the support of a caring foster parent.