Kids In Crisis

Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon

By Brandi Smith
May 5, 2008

Eugene, Ore. -- Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon contributed $27,111.01 to local agencies serving foster kids.

Kids in Crisis: Treatment Foster Care

By Brandi Smith
May 2, 2008

Cottage Grove, Ore. -- The 2007 Lane County Relative Foster Parent of the Year says Oregon counties need to develop different levels of foster parents, including treatment foster parents.

Giving Big: Parker Elementary

By Brandi Smith
April 18, 2008

Eugene, Ore. -- Students at Parker Elementary school launch a penny drive to help area foster children through Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon.

Giving Big: Florence

By Brandi Smith
April 21, 2008

Florence, Ore. -- Morgan's Country Kitchen serves as an unofficial dropoff location for Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon, collecting thousands of dollars worth of new clothes, shoes and books, along with more than $1,000 cash.

Make 'Oprah's Big Give' Truly Big

By Brandi Smith
April 14, 2007

Eugene, Ore. -- There are only two weeks left to donate to "Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon." KEZI 9 News has received a great response, but the need is immense.

Have an idea for Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon?

We only have a couple weeks of "Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon" left. So far, the response has been great. But there's still a great need. So I'm hoping you can help.

Can you challenge other people at your job to collect as much new clothes, shoes, books and money as they can? What about your top competitor -- could you issue a good-hearted challenge to them? Or if you're involved in your child's school, what about challenging another school to donate as much as possible?

E-mail me at brandismith@kezi.com with any ideas you might have. We really need to make a push to help all the foster kids in western Oregon, including nearly 1,000 in Lane County, 250 in Douglas County, 400 in Coos County and hundreds more in Benton County.

The Relief Nursery

By Brandi Smith
April 7, 2008

Eugene, Ore. -- The Relief Nursery serves about 1,200 area children younger than six years old who are at risk of abuse.

A Family for Every Child

By Brandi Smith
March 31, 2008

Eugene, Ore. -- Finding a home for foster kids is a top priority for A Family for Every Child. But the group offers many other programs for foster children, including mentoring and family finding.

A Caring Place

By Brandi Smith
March 24, 2008

Eugene, Ore. -- A Caring Place is a collaborative effort between the Junior League of Eugene, the Relief Nursery, Eugene's First Congregational Church and the Department of Human Services. It's aimed at providing care for foster kids and a break for foster parents.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

By Brandi Smith
March 17, 2008

Eugene, Ore. -- KEZI 9 News launches Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon. You can help foster children in Lane, Benton, Douglas and Coos counties by donating any new clothes, shoes and books at Northwest Community Credit Union and Sleep Country U.S.A.

For more information about Oprah's Big Give in Western Oregon, click here.

Wednesday's Child

Meet Xena & Dezarae These sisters are looking for a forever home.

The Adoption Process Interested in adopting? Classes are offered weekly.

Meet Barbara & Brandon An adoption success story that starts with a Eugene couple seeing a newspaper ad

Meet Faith Four-year-old Faith is looking for a forever home

Meet Dakota 10-year-old Dakota is looking for a forever family

Meet Austin 10-year-old Austin is looking for a forever home

Meet Kevyn 10-year-old Kevyn is looking for a forever family

Meet Dorrie Nine-year-old Dorrie is looking for a forever family

Adopt a 'Wednesday's Child' Information about how to adopt one of the children we introduced during our "Wednesday's Child" segment

More Resources

About Kids in Crisis KEZI 9 News embarks on a campaign to highlight the state's foster care system and those who have dealings with it.

Pregnancy & Sex Education Resources Information and contacts for pregnancy and sex education issues

Employment & Education Resources Opportunities for employment and education

Emergency Contacts Crisis lines and emergency contacts

Drug & Alcohol Resources Resources for people suffering from drug or alchohol addictions.

Legal Resources Legal resources available for foster parents and foster children

Interested In Fostering or Adopting A Child? Contact information for people interested in fostering or adopting a child