About

Empowering children to succeed in life and reach their goals

Who we are

Welcome to Women Changing Foster Care, a nonprofit that thrives on personal experience and a shared mission.

As a foster mom herself, our founder has not only built a community where foster parents can learn and grow together,

but she has also created a unique cookbook that blends healthy, quick recipes with the heartfelt stories behind them.

In this cookbook, you’ll find not just delicious meals, but also glimpses of the dinner table conversations that help foster families bond.

Each recipe is paired with real-life scenarios and warm, relatable stories that invite you into the everyday world of foster parenting.

We believe in empowering one another and creating a nurturing environment for every child we welcome into our homes-one child, one story at a time.

Our Value

Empowering children to succeed in life and reach their goals.

Hope – Every child’s story can lead to growth.

Opportunity – Families deserve tools and training to succeed.

Mentorship – Guidance and wisdom for every foster parent.

Empowerment – Equipping homes with resources and confidence.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower foster parents with trauma-informed resources, practical tools, and supportive community connections so every child can grow up in a stable, loving, and nurturing home.

Our Vission

Our vision is to create a future where every foster child is given the love, stability, and support they need to thrive. We strive to build a world where foster families are empowered with the resources and community connections necessary to nurture and guide children toward brighter, more promising futures.

Meet our team

Teamwork makes the dream work

Founder

Ernestine Purdy - Founder, Women Changing Foster Care My name is Ernestine Purdy. I am a foster parent, mentor, and the founder of Women Changing Foster Care. I created Women Changing Foster Care from lived experience. I have worked with children from many different backgrounds and life situations, and I understand that every child enters foster care carrying a different story. Before I became a foster parent, I was also a child learning how environments, consistency, and emotional safety shape who we become.That perspective guides everything I do. As a foster parent, I have supported children through trauma, transition, reunification, and adoption. I have seen how structure, routine, and calm-not control-help children regulate, trust, and grow. I've also seen how foster parents often lack practical, emotional support from people who truly understand this life. Women Changing Foster Care exists to support foster women and foster couples with real tools, education, and encouragement. My work focuses on stability in the home, healing through daily routines, and the role food and shared meals play in and shared meals play in creating emotional safety. This work is personal. It is practical. And it is rooted in lived experience-not theory.
Meet our team

Teamwork makes the dream work

Matilda Burns

Founder

Jenny Rasmussen

Co-Founder

Madison Fisher

Occupational Therapist

Amelia Cox

Speech Pathologist

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Popular Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about our services, becoming a foster parent, and how we support families throughout the foster care journey.

We offer a wide range of services to support foster families, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, behavioral therapy, family counseling, and educational support. Our goal is to ensure every child in foster care receives the care and attention they need to thrive.

Becoming a foster parent is a rewarding experience, and we are here to support you every step of the way. You can start by reaching out to us for guidance, training, and resources. We will help you navigate the foster care process and provide the support you need to provide a safe, loving home for a child in need.

Yes, we specialize in offering services tailored to foster children with special needs. Our therapists work with children to improve their physical, emotional, and communication skills, ensuring they receive the individualized support they deserve.

Our organization is a nonprofit, and we strive to make our services accessible to all foster families. Some services may have a nominal fee, while others are provided at no cost. We work with families to ensure they get the support they need regardless of their financial situation.

There are several ways to get involved with our mission. You can donate directly on our website, volunteer your time, or spread the word about the work we do. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps us support more foster children and families in need.

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