Colleen has a commitment to elevating the voices of children waiting to be adopted from foster care. For the past four years, she has served as a child specific recruiter at Children’s Home. Each day, she collaborates with a network of county workers, behavioral health professionals, foster families, group homes and residential treatment centers, all united by one goal: finding a permanent, loving family for every child she supports.
“My job is the fun part. I work on recruitment activities to get their name and faces out there for families who are looking to adopt in the foster care system,” she says.
What drives her is simple: a belief that every youth deserves to be known for who they are. That belief fuels the creativity and care she brings to her recruitment activities. Colleen’s youthful energy helps her build trust and connect with young people quickly, turning required visits into moments of genuine relationships. She meets kids where they are — bonding over shared interests, creating space for silence when needed and gently reminding them of her role on their team.
“I let them take the lead, and I follow suit,” she explains.
One recent experience reaffirmed why this work matters so deeply to Colleen. She supported a 17‑year‑old girl from a rural town in Minnesota who was hesitant to explore permanency options.
As Colleen spent time with the teenage girl — sharing meals, shopping for school supplies and talking about the future — she saw the young girl’s gratitude grow. After six months, the teen warmed up to the idea of permanency and created a bond with a family who was fostering her. That family committed to supporting her through her transition out of foster care into adulthood and remain in her life to this day. Saying goodbye was emotional for the both of them.
For Colleen, she wants others to know that every youth is more than what’s written about them on paper.
“Everything looks worse on paper than it does face‑to‑face. Spending time with a youth reveals a reality no document could ever fully reflect,” Colleen said. “When caregivers educate themselves and offer extra attention and love, it reassures them that this can truly be home.”
Colleen’s work is a daily reminder that when we focus on the child first — when we honor their individuality and champion their potential — we open the door to belonging, stability and the possibility of home.
