Angels in Adoption

Floor Speech

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Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Amber Richardson who has recently been nominated for the Angels of Adoption Award. Historically, the Angels of Adoption program has celebrated individuals, couples, families, and organizations from across the nation who have made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of vulnerable children and families. Those recognized through Angels of Adoption represent a wide variety of individuals involved in the adoption, foster care, and the child welfare world. I am proud to nominate Amber for this award as she is the founder and CEO of Foster Love and has fostered 14 different children over her lifetime.

In June 2020, Amber Richardson Founded Foster Love, an official 501c3 within my district in Omaha, that has made an extraordinary impact on the lives of foster children within our community since its creation. Their mission is to provide basic needs and opportunities for children in foster care, so they feel confident, empowered, and valued, and foster families feel supported. They have done this by opening a storefront boutique in which foster children can shop the latest trends in a welcoming, unique setting where merchandise is new, high quality, and free of cost. The store front offers multiple programs each month such as shopping days, appointments for emergency needs, and an art program called Artsy Kids.

Amber and her husband, Matthew, have fostered 14 different children. Starting in 2007 they welcomed Trevor, their first foster child, into their home and later adopted him in order to give him a ``forever home''. This was the spark that led Amber to continue developing relationships within the foster community as well as volunteering and advocating on different foster panels. Amber has been a driving force within the Omaha foster care community; her drive and passion for this cause has been truly inspiring.

Through Foster Love, Amber has built a vibrant community that helps support both foster children and their families. To date, Foster Love has served and supported over 800 children and foster parents, their work continues to expand and grow. Not only are these children provided with the necessary resources that they need to thrive on a daily basis, but they are also loved every step of the way. Foster Love exemplifies love and dignity, and I could not be happier to recognize Amber Richardson for the Angels of Adoption Award.

I salute and thank Amber for her impression upon the Omaha community, which will be felt for years to come.

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