Bea Ryan, a former foster child, was the youngest of 8 children in her family and entered State Custody at the age of 11 and “aged out” at 18. Her first of many foster homes was with her oldest brother and his bride, whom she says today, were the strongest moral influence in her life. She has many good memories about being in the system and some bad - each having a part in who she is today.

Bea and her husband Bill live in Grants Pass, Oregon with 5 children and 4 grandchildren. In 1988 she began her first volunteer experience coordinating a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation which produced over $10,000 without a single penny spent on expenses, She went on to volunteer MAW for eleven years. In 1999 she began coordinating fundraisers for her employer to benefit United Way. In 2006, she found her true passion when she became a foster parent herself for a short time. She realized that while foster parents get a small stipend for caring for foster children, it in no way covers the “extras.” Essential resources to help with the many things these kids need.

Bea and her employer, co-workers, friends, family and community partners began collecting Christmas presents for the foster children in Josephine County. The grass roots effort was a huge success with over 200 toys collected and delivered to the children.

Shortly after this, she found herself unemployed but not deterred in her venture. With each job interview she discussed her new found passion for providing holiday gifts for foster children. When she accepted a position as branch manager for Sterling Savings Bank it came with the approval to work on her project. Her supervisors not only encouraged her to coordinate the holiday gift giving, but supported her in her efforts when she wanted to expand the program to include Easter Baskets and back-to-school supplies. The holiday gift program in 208 amounted to over 1000 gifts donated. In january of 2009, the non-profit organization “Our Foster Kids” was born. Bea’s dream is to expand to surrounding counties and then state wide, and then national.

“These children are the future leaders of our communities, of our country. It is our responsibility to protect that future.”

                       Bea Ryan, 2006