They open their hearts and homes to some of our most vulnerable children - offering them the safety, love and nurturing that every child needs. They help children heal from the painful wounds of abuse and neglect, and prepare for an uncertain future.

Foster parents face enormous challenges. But, as many foster parents will tell you, the rewards of helping each child - of making a difference that lasts a lifetime - make it all worthwhile.

Each year, hundreds of Alaska children must move away from their own homes. Typically, it's because an adult in their family has abused or neglected them, and it is no longer safe for them to live at home. These children range from newborns to teenagers and they live in communities all over Alaska. Foster homes provide these children a temporary, safe place to live until they can be reunited with their families - or, in some cases, placed permanently with another family. Some children stay in foster care for days or weeks; some stay for years.