Spokane-based Embrace Washington focuses on providing support and opportunities to children in foster care, working to help keep siblings together, support access to needed medical equipment, as well as one-on-one educational and other recreational activities. 

The 11-year-old nonprofit functions with three employees and annual revenue of $390,000, which is up about 15% year over year. 

In what ways would you quantify the organization's growth in recent years? We've expanded from serving about 1,200 children annually to about 1,750 children last year.

In March 2024, we launched the Healthcare Assistance for Little Ones, or HALO, program, specifically designed to address the critical medical needs of children in foster care with complex health cases. This program was developed in response to a sharp increase in requests for medical devices, including life-saving equipment.

We have also expanded our one-on-one tutoring programs to serve more children. By providing tailored tutoring services, we aim to create stability and help these children regain confidence and succeed in their education.

What are your expectations for growth in the coming years? We aim to expand our reach to serve over 2,000 children annually, ensuring that more foster youth have access to the critical resources they need to thrive. That includes scaling our HALO program to provide even more medical devices and support for children with complex health needs. 

We also plan to further enhance our one-on-one tutoring programs. Beyond these, we aspire to create new opportunities for enrichment and connection, such as increased access to extracurricular activities, mentorship programs, and family bonding experiences.

How has the organization adapted or innovated in the past year? Our organization has adapted to significant changes in the foster care landscape driven by a shift in Washington state Legislature toward prioritizing "kinship care" placements—where children are placed with biological relatives rather than traditional foster homes.

This change reduces the financial and resource burden on the state, but it has also created new challenges for the children and families involved. In response, we've expanded our programs to ensure that children placed in kinship care receive the same level of support as those in traditional foster homes.

Are there any other reasons your organization deserves to be considered for this honor? Embrace Washington deserves to be considered because of our unwavering dedication to serving children in foster care and the transformative impact we've had on their lives and the broader community. Our organization goes beyond meeting basic needs by creating programs that foster dignity, confidence, and opportunity.

Initiatives like Duffels for Darlings, Welcome Boxes, and the Wish Program provide children with essential items and the tools and experiences to build self-esteem and discover their passions. Equine therapy, summer camps, and music programs ensure every child feels valued and has the chance to dream beyond their circumstances.

Through vital partnerships with local businesses, schools, and volunteers, we've built a network of support for foster children and their families. Our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of foster care demonstrates our ability to innovate and respond effectively to systemic changes.