News & Events

Michael Oher, subject of The Blind Side and NFL player, will be our special guest at Champions for Foster Kids.  Learn more. 

Join us for Treehouse's most important fundraising event of the year.  Wednesday March 10, 2010.  Learn more Champions for Foster Kids features an inspiring program where Treehouse kids tell their stories about foster care and how Treehouse has helped them.  Can't attend, but want to support kids in foster care?  Donate here.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Do your shopping at QFC and you can support Treehouse.  Grab a Treehouse card at the checkout stand to make a donation.

Both houses released their budget drafts on February 23rd and each included Treehouse Educational Advocacy.   Your calls and emails helped bring their attention to retaining this important service, in which our advocates collaborate with social workers and school staff to improve school access and appropriate services so kids in foster care succeed in school. 

Legislators are balancing multiple competing priorities and are actively negotiating spending and revenue ideas.  A “thank you” contact from you will make a tremendous difference.

Message:  thank you for including Treehouse Educational Advocacy in the budget

How to contact your legislators:
Washington State Legislative Hotline:  1-800-562-6000
8 am - 8 pm Monday - Friday
You will be asked to give your name, street address, and a short message.

If you know your legislator’s name, you can find contact information here:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/Members.aspx

If you don’t know your legislator's name, use this link and click “find your district”:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx

 

Treehouse’s Educational Advocacy program is the primary lifeline between vulnerable youth in foster care and success in school.  Let's keep it in the budget.  Here's how.  See the responses we got from two Representatives.

Please contact your legislator before Friday February 19, 2010 with this message:

Subject Line for emails: Keep Treehouse Educational Advocacy for foster kids in the budget

Message to send or phone in:
Please support the budget request for Treehouse in the House Operating Budget.  Treehouse’s Educational Advocacy contract improves school stability for foster kids which helps them keep permanent homes and increases the likelihood that they’ll graduate from High School.

How to contact your legislator:
Washington State Legislative Hotline:  1-800-562-6000
8 am - 8 pm Monday - Friday
You will be asked to give your name, street address, and a short message.

If you know your legislator’s name, you can find contact information here:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/Members.aspx

If you don’t know your legislator's name, use this link and click “find your district”:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx

Our $1 million annual contract with the state for Educational Advocacy is in danger.  This week the State Senate and House are determining their priorities and the State budget.  We know advocacy is critical for foster kids, so our Board of Directors has committed to raising 1/3 of the funds for the program and we are asking the state to provide 2/3 each year.  Urge your legislator to support Treehouse's Educational Advocacy contract in the operating budget.

Spread the word!  Forward this to friends, family, co-workers via email, Twitter, and Facebook.

From Representative Reuven Carlyle
Tracy, I am a strong supporter of Treehouse, and I'm down here working incredibly hard on their behalf. Thanks so much for reaching out to share your passion and advocacy for them. I really appreciate it.

Your partner in service,
Reuven

From Representative Dickerson
Tracy -

Thank you for your email. I was a co-founder of Treehouse and definitely support your good work. 

We made $4 billion in cuts last year -- balancing the budget without raising revenue.  This year, we face a $2.8 billion deficit.  I will not be supporting another all cuts budget and have been working with my colleagues to find a revenue package that will help save vital programs.  Whatever revenue options we decide on, they will most likely be taken to the ballot for a vote.  As a result, we not only have to find a package that will pass the legislature but one that will also be supported by the public statewide. 

Thank you for your message!

Rep. Dickerson 

This casual talent show is your chance to see Treehouse kids in action. Our Little Wishes program gives foster kids access to every day experiences that all kids deserve to enjoy - like ballet, music, and art lessons. And on this night they'll show us what they've been learning. Invite your friends too.

February 3, 2010
6:00 pm Reception and Treehouse Tours
6:30 pm Talent Show
7:30 pm Dessert and Treehouse Tours

Here are a few of the performances you'll be able to see:
Hula, African dance, guitar, piano, singing, stomp dancing, clarinet, cheerleading, trombone, martial arts, and tap dance

Please RSVP by Friday January 29 to michelles@treehouseforkids.org

Thanks

1,878 foster kids shopped in the Wearhouse this holiday season.  Thank you to all of the volunteers and donors who made it possible.  Happy New Year!

Andre Glass - hand blown glass jewelry - donated 30% of the sales from their trunk show in December and raised $420.  Thanks Andre Glass.

It may look like a warm jacket or a bright new toy,  but to a child living in foster care it's so much more: it's a message that someone cares. Share our online catalog with friends and family and give a foster kid a childhood and a future.

Need a last minute gift?  You can change the life of a foster child when you make a gift in honor of someone.  Make a gift today.  Your receipt will have a link to a certificate that lets them know you made a gift in their honor to support Treehouse and foster kids.