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SiG MT 50 AD "We kind of just felt all alone," Carly says of their early days as foster parents. "Now, we have people we can talk to who understand and share their own stories. I've gained so much confidence." "It is so important to have the community element," Ricardo agrees. "ey say it takes a village to raise a kid, and this absolutely applies to fostering." Carly and Ricardo's children are blossoming today. eir kindergartener was even selected as student of the month in January, Carly says proudly. "e best thing about being a foster parent is everything. Literally everything," Ricardo adds. "How they change your perspective on life, and even me as an individual – how it has changed me as a husband and a person and now as a father. I never realized I had so much more love to give." e Child Bridge team encourages anyone interested in learning more about foster care and adoption to reach out to one of their offices. ey also want to remind the community that becoming a foster care provider isn't the only way to help Montana's abused and neglected children. "Not everyone is able to foster, but there is something that everybody can do," Cameron says. Child Bridge's services are offered to foster and adoptive families free of charge. Donating clothing or school supplies, learning about how to provide respite care, or making a financial donation on the organization's website are all avenues we can take to help support these frontline families. "Even something as small as inviting a foster kid over for a birthday party is really special," Ricardo says. "It might be the first birthday party they've ever been to." To learn more about Child Bridge or to make a donation, visit www.childbridgemontana.org or call 1-406-2-FOSTER. Become a Part of the Solution Holly Matkin is a native Montanan who lives with her husband at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains. She covers a wide variety of topics as a freelance writer for multiple local and national publications, and especially enjoys writing travel, history, and human interest pieces. S MT Photo Provided Group exercises help foster parents connect with one another as they work to provide safe, stable homes for children in need. Family Owned & Operated Remember, you have a friend at Ferrin's! 308 1 st Avenue South Downtown Great Falls, MT Mon–Fri 9 am–5:00 pm Sat 9 am–4 pm 406.761.2192 www.ferrins.com FERRIN S F U R N I T U R E F F Since 1899