Fostering Hope

Life rarely unfolds the way we imagine. The dreams we start with often shift, stretch, and take shape in ways we never could have planned. For Rachel Russ, foster care wasn’t part of the original picture. She describes her family’s journey as a path they hadn’t envisioned, but one that feels meant to be. “We always thought foster care was special,” she shared, “but we didn’t necessarily feel called to it — until we learned more about the need.” And once they discovered just how many children are in need of a stable family, all they wanted to do was become a safe space for them. Over the past 6 years, Rachel and her husband have opened their home to 30 children and though they never set out to adopt, they’re now in the process of welcoming their fifth adopted child, alongside their one biological child.

Rachel has fostered through Children's Hope Foster Family Agency, and has worked for them as a Recruitment Coordinator since 2021. That same year, Children’s Hope joined The Alliance as a member organization, creating a bridge of support that would later bless Rachel’s own family in unexpected ways.

The simple desire to provide safety and stability for foster youth has grown into a lifelong mission. Over the years, the Russ family has welcomed children of varying ages, from newborns to teens, offering comfort during the most vulnerable moments of their young lives. Currently, their home is lively and full of love with six kids between the ages of one and nine.

While fostering children can be extremely rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. Rachel emphasizes the balance of joy and heartbreak that comes from taking in a child. When kids are reunified with their parents or other family members, saying goodbye is not easy, especially when the environment they’re returning to might not seem safe or supportive. Even in that pain, Rachel finds purpose. “What an honor it is to grieve these children!” she proclaims. 

That perspective defines the Russ family’s approach to foster care. They pour themselves fully into each child who comes through their door, loving deeply, even when it hurts to let go. Two of their nine-year-old adoptive children are already talking about fostering and adopting one day, proof that Rachel and her husband’s example is leaving a lasting mark.

Rachel marvels at the fact that every need her family has had thus far has been met. Her calling is to continue caring for these children, and she knows that the community will show up.

While dental insurance is provided for foster children through the state, orthodontics are not covered and can cause financial burdens for families. Through The Alliance, Rachel was introduced to Poidmore Orthodontics in Orangevale, a generous local business that provided dental treatment (valued at nearly $6,000) for one of her children. The Alliance also helped connect her with the Parent Cooperative Community (PCC), a local nonprofit that provides programs and resources for children with diagnoses like ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder.

“Without The Alliance, we never would have heard of these organizations that provide resources for families like mine,” Rachel shared. “The Alliance has connected our family, as well as others fostering through Children’s Hope, with so many incredible organizations, like Compassion Planet, that help meet real needs.” From emergency beds during last-minute placements to access to care and community, Rachel has seen provision woven through every challenge.

Rachel’s story is a powerful reminder of what it looks like to love without limits. Foster care isn’t easy; it’s filled with uncertainties, late nights, and hard goodbyes, but it’s also filled with redemption, growth, and moments of pure joy. Through every placement and every challenge, Rachel and her family have chosen to step forward boldly, trusting that love, safety, and consistency can rewrite a child’s story. Their home has become a refuge-where kids can begin to heal, dream, and simply be children again.

At The Alliance, we’re honored to walk alongside families like the Russes — families who are showing our community what it means to stand in the gap for vulnerable kids and teens. Their story reminds us that trauma isn’t the end of the story. With love, community, and unwavering hope, cycles of hurt can be transformed into cycles of healing — and that’s the kind of change that impacts generations.