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Exploring Farmers Markets: Fresh Produce, Homemade Goods, and Family Fun

Visiting a farmers market is more than just a shopping trip—it’s an experience that brings you closer to fresh, local food and your community. Farmers markets offer a wide variety of activities and benefits, making them the perfect family outing. From locally grown produce to handmade crafts, here’s what you might experience at a farmers market, along with the benefits of enjoying fresh, farm-to-table produce.

Top 7 Tips to Make Fall Fun for Sensory-Sensitive Kids

Fall is a season full of exciting activities—festivals, carnivals, and seasonal celebrations—but for children with sensory sensitivities or those impacted by trauma, these events can be overwhelming. The decorations, costumes, loud mechanical displays, and sudden noises or lights may create discomfort or fear. With thoughtful strategies, you can help your child enjoy the season while avoiding stressful situations. Here are our Top 7 Tips:

Seasons

At the risk of sounding like a slowing down old geezer, I will admit that one of my favorite things to do this time of year is sit on the front porch with my wife and watch the sparrows, finches, doves, cowbirds, and various other warblers visit our feeders and poke around in the yard. It is an opportunity to leave the phones in the house and chat while listening to avian choirs. Spring and early Summer are just fantastic with the warmer/hot days and cool nights. This year has been really unusual with warmer afternoons followed by lightning shows, heavy rains and then cool air.

Top 10 Awesome Moments from 2022

2022 was a year for the books. On one hand you may wonder, “where did the time go?” but on the other hand we can look back and see how we grew as individuals and as an organization. Before we crunch the numbers and quantify our efforts, let’s highlight where it all started – at home. For us, our home-base is the network of families, donors, and staff members who make the mission possible. Our vision to help heal at-risk children and families begins and ends with our team – so thank you!

Don’t Forget Who You Came With

In the world of parties, dances, balls and soirées, there is an old phrase quoted in our title. It is important for those attending events to not forget the one they arrived with. It is not a good look and one can cannot anticipate a good outcome if they wander from their partner and ignore their presence. The ride home will not be pleasant and the relationship will likely suffer damage. Cowboys say it like this: “Don’t forget the one who brung ya.”

Fall Foster Family Activities for Trust Building

Autumn, fall, spooky season, Q4 – there are many names for this special time of the year. While the holidays can be a joyous and celebratory time, we know it can be a difficult season for children in foster care who are away from loved ones. We may never be able to make up for who or what is missed presently in that child’s life, but we can do activities to hopefully make them feel loved, valued, and connected wherever they are. If you’re looking for a few ideas to make these last few months of the year special for your foster family read on!

Cooking with Kids: Sweet Potato Casserole

Plan to involve your kids in your holiday meal preparation. It is a great opportunity to make memories, foster relationship with your children by sharing your kitchen experiences and equip your kids with kitchen skills all at the same time.

From selecting recipes and shopping to for ingredients to greasing pans and stirring it all together, parents who cook with their kids create magical moments that will be cherished for years.

This month, Michelle Rivera, CK Lead Case Management Supervisor, shares her family’s recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole. Please enjoy!