The Oregon Foster Parent Association (OFPA) was founded in 1996 to support foster parents, adoptive parents and kinship care providers. Our organization provides ongoing, meaningful support for foster and adopted children by empowering, training and advocating for the families caring for these special kids. OFPA works to build respect and dignity within a safe and permanent environment for children who have been abused and neglected, as well as for those whose special needs have gone beyond their parents’ ability to provide that kind of ongoing care.

www.ofpa.com

A Letter from the OFPA President
“Camp Fire Chat”

As a foster parent, a member and President of OFPA, I have been blessed by being associated with Camp To Belong Northwest (CTBNW). The mission and vision of this program is unsurpassed and it’s track record speaks for itself. Teens often say or think, "What you are doing is so loud I can’t hear what you are saying." CTBNW is doing what they say.

We have been given a huge responsibility and blessing to help bring CTB to the Northwest. Personally, I have done very little. When I was in the Marine Corps we had a saying: "The credit belongs to the man (or woman) who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat, and blood. Who strives valiantly, who errors and comes up short again and again. His (or her) place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

The generous and selfless volunteers, those who contribute in "Time, Talent, & Treasure," are the ones in the trenches. They are the ones who make CTB successful, not to mention the kids!

Keep up the great work!

Don Darland
President, OFPA