| Last updated on July 29, 2008 |
Amara believes that every child has the right to grow up in a safe, loving home. Unfortunately, too many children in are growing up without the love and support they need to reach their full potential in life. On any given day, there are over 8,000 children living in foster care in Washington State. Almost 2,000 of these children cannot safely return home to their birth families. Foster care, developed as a temporary safety net for children in transition, was never intended to be a permanent solution for children. At Amara, we work to transition children out of foster care and into permanent adoptive homes. We also work with vulnerable parent populations to build their parenting skills and self-esteem so they may raise their child in a safe, nurturing environment and avoid any future involvement in the foster care system. With 84 years of experience in child welfare, Amara provides professional adoption and parenting services designed to ensure that children grow up in permanent, loving families. Understanding that each child is unique, we work with a wide variety of families to ensure that parents have the right tools and support to meet the needs of their child.
Description:
Founded in 1921, as Medina Baby Home, the agency has been recognized as a leader in developing innovative programs designed to protect and promote the welfare of at-risk children and youth. We are dedicating to serving children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and those at greatest risk of harm. To provide children with safety, stability and the best chance to become healthy adults, we offer services to their parents or find new parents willing to adopt them. We believe every child is unique and has intrinsic value to society; all children are entitled to protection, nurturance, the chance to develop to their full potential and the opportunity to contribute to the good of society.
History:
Amara was founded in 1921 as the Medina Baby Home located in the city of Medina. At that time the agency served as an orphanage and home for unwed mothers, mainly serving the Seattle community. In the mid-1930's, Amara transitioned it services to adoption as the orphanages were abandoned in favor of the foster care system. At this time the agency changed its name to Medina Children Services. Since that time, Amara has lead innovation in the adoption field being among the first in the nation to practice trans-racial adoption, serve African-American, gay and single parent families, and recruit parents for children with special medical and physical needs. In 1975, the agency recognized a growing trend in teen pregnancy in its home neighborhood of Central Seattle and started the Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Program to serve these vulnerable teens. In September 2004, Amara merged with FosStars Institute - a non-profit committed to increasing the education and training of foster child care takers. Amara is caring on their mission by offering seminars and trainings that focus on the unique needs of foster children and families. In November 2004, the agency changed its name to Amara in an effort to reach wider audiences and better reflect the work we do to ensure the every child has an opportunity to grow up in a permanent, nurturing environment.
Contact person: Kira Schreiber, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (206) 260-1777
Address:
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3330 East Union St
Seattle, WA 98122
This location is handicap accessible
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.amaraparenting.org
Directions:
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From I-5 take the James Street Exit
From North: Off exit, turn left on James St
From South: Off exit, turn right on James St
Stay straight on James (it will turn to Cherry)
Stay on Cherry past 12th, 23rd, MLK
After MLK, go up the hill to 34th
Take left on 34th
About .5 mile Amara is located at the corner off 34th and Union
Nearest Bus Stop: 34th/Union, 0 minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| Liability |
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No
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| Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers? |
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No
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| Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18? |
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Yes
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