<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[ECHO Family Care Partners]]></title><description><![CDATA[Connecting vulnerable families to caring communities through strategic partnerships with local child welfare and the local church.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 04:55:55 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.wearetheecho.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Generous Resistance]]></title><description><![CDATA[But maybe the most beautiful thing is what generosity awakens in us. Every time we open our hands, something in our hearts opens too.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/generous-resistance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692f0bdbaaea37ace46832e9</guid><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:20:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_9b1079753f7c44f48cea6ee3f40643a7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Power of Kinship Placements: Strengthening Foster Care for Children, Families, and Communities]]></title><description><![CDATA[Foster care is a crucial system that provides temporary homes for children who cannot live with their biological families. Traditionally, foster care has relied on placing children with unrelated families, but in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the benefits of kinship placements. Kinship placements refer to the practice of placing children in the care of relatives or close family friends. ]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/the-power-of-kinship-placements-strengthening-foster-care-for-children-families-and-communities</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6504ec805a0b1fe2c4edfeed</guid><category><![CDATA[FAMILY]]></category><category><![CDATA[FOSTER]]></category><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2025 23:53:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_673ea6edbe254c6abe5fdb6041748bd3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Importance of Family Reunification]]></title><description><![CDATA[As Christians, we also need to remember that we serve a God who wants to reconcile people to Himself and restore people to right-relationship with Him and others. As His children, we can encourage and pray for the restoration of families if it is in the child’s best interests. ]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/the-importance-of-family-reunification</link><guid isPermaLink="false">648cc4d2b6c979ca08055ef8</guid><category><![CDATA[FAMILY]]></category><category><![CDATA[FOSTER]]></category><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2025 20:45:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_bd58d64fc38a4cc4ad9e32d3133c9b2d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Johnston Moore</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Planting Hope — Preventing Child Abuse Starts With Us]]></title><description><![CDATA[April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time when we come together to speak with one voice: every child deserves a safe, loving, and stable family. But preventing abuse isn’t just about reacting to what’s already happened—it’s about understanding the conditions that make children vulnerable in the first place.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/planting-hope-preventing-child-abuse-starts-with-us</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ed4b0df5ffb1fbdf5083d4</guid><category><![CDATA[FAMILY]]></category><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><category><![CDATA[TRAUMA]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:50:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_a26f3af70a2e4b79982b4f2c61d56d3e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Seeing, Supporting, and Safeguarding Children with Autism]]></title><description><![CDATA[Each year in April we recognize World Autism Awareness Day, a time when landmarks light up blue and social media fills with hashtags]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/seeing-supporting-and-safeguarding-children-with-autism</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ed4717f5ffb1fbdf507cd2</guid><category><![CDATA[SPECIAL NEEDS]]></category><category><![CDATA[FAMILY]]></category><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:30:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_c4d57d2d7d29493180ec5987ad846374~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ECHO Honored with Prestigious Award]]></title><description><![CDATA[ECHO Family Care Partners proudly announces its recent acknowledgment with the Hampton Unity Award]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/echo-honored-with-prestigious-award</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65ca3462cb5bcf36ec7c4623</guid><category><![CDATA[NEWSLETTERS]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2024 15:17:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_7b23fd497ac3491082a7c5590a7836a6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_754,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[This Is the Movement]]></title><description><![CDATA[We were never called to take up our hammock and follow Jesus to a killer nap spot.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/this-is-the-movement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6564352ec76c6b6aa4c9e774</guid><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_2c4fe7acf5844a999f6a2aac1e8145ea~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_551,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Empathy Stirs Us to Action]]></title><description><![CDATA[When’s the last time you cared deeply about something? Whatever it was, it was more than just a feeling. That feeling moved you to act.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/empathy-leads-us-to-action</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6564a2287e8c1d8c1ee24941</guid><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_49403ca178a84aea9372bd935720ddbb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_608,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Teachability Leads Us to Empathy]]></title><description><![CDATA[You can’t truly care about a person you’re not close to. In order to care, you’ve got to be close.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/teachability-leads-us-to-empathy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6554dafb4ad3b5b9e7624983</guid><category><![CDATA[CHURCH]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:55:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_dcf5aa9faeb7401ab882b4ebc02991bd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_608,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[We Must Remain Teachable, Curious, Humble]]></title><description><![CDATA[Curiosity pulls us toward injustice, forcing us to lean in and listen. This curiosity keeps us humble and keeps us teachable.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/we-must-remain-teachable-curious-humble</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6554d6f8e5f23a8089c1c2e4</guid><category><![CDATA[CHURCH]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:43:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_e9ac57fc864b4f70b94ba6da219451b1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_608,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sentara Cares Grant to Help Children Heal]]></title><description><![CDATA[We are thrilled to share some exciting news with the ECHO Family Care Partners community!]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/sentara-cares-grant-to-help-children-heal</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a57799eaf913d20a6762f1</guid><category><![CDATA[TRAUMA]]></category><category><![CDATA[NEWSLETTERS]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:32:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_cef1910b9b5146eb8ba31f074260d7a3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Mother’s Day is Complicated]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mother’s Day highlights the gap that exists between what we wish were true and what isn’t]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/when-mother-s-day-is-complicated</link><guid isPermaLink="false">645f974494a5b28b758faed5</guid><category><![CDATA[ADOPTION]]></category><category><![CDATA[FOSTER]]></category><category><![CDATA[FAMILY]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 13 May 2023 14:04:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_6267aa6d4237433cb57147c55b989619~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_795,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sarah Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How We Can Prevent Child Abuse]]></title><description><![CDATA[April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. There's a solution if we're willing to do what it takes.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/how-to-prevent-child-abuse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">644882606d4ca1d2b543893f</guid><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><category><![CDATA[TRAUMA]]></category><category><![CDATA[FAMILY]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:11:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_b8463af340c9472bad30f32927f81497~mv2_d_5760_3840_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Think of Us raised $47.5M to Change Child Welfare]]></title><description><![CDATA[The funding to accelerate transformation of the US child welfare system is one of the largest investments that has ever been given]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/think-of-us-raised-47-5m-to-change-child-welfare</link><guid isPermaLink="false">643ec58d7e95dd45d4ab53ca</guid><category><![CDATA[FOSTER]]></category><category><![CDATA[TRAUMA]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 18 Apr 2023 16:40:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_941ff4fd1af24c0e82803b744b38b7e3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_760,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Think of Us</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Social Worker: First Responders to the Human Condition]]></title><description><![CDATA[The month of March is National Social Work Month and the 16th of March is World Social Work Day.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/first-responders-to-the-human-condition</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6418561d227df1085d2432c3</guid><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_ac8061214cd84eeab7a91eaf91b26ed8~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Racial Discrimination in Child Welfare Is a Human Rights Violation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Public acknowledgment of the discriminatory harms perpetrated by the child welfare system is long overdue.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/racial-discrimination-in-child-welfare-is-a-human-rights-violation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63f69ef19e97c8a8489317b7</guid><category><![CDATA[FOSTER]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:48:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_b4cd226447a94e64bf6e312ac4ebc829~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Unholy Alliance: Trafficking and Foster Care]]></title><description><![CDATA[Children with no family and no support system are easy prey for traffickers. ]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/an-unholy-alliance-trafficking-and-foster-care</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63c9a13580730ea2b8cf1c2c</guid><category><![CDATA[TRAFFICKING]]></category><category><![CDATA[FOSTER]]></category><category><![CDATA[FAMILY]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2023 15:23:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_25de8db6add64a238dab594150fbeeb0~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Human Trafficking Search</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmazonSmile Shuts Down. What Now?]]></title><description><![CDATA[We know many of you want to make sure your purchases can have a meaningful impact.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/amazonsmile-shuts-down-what-now</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63c99b520a69462d88bcde97</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2023 19:49:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_99cc2a227b0b43249fefb483a4441402~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_675,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Intersection of Foster Care and Everything]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’re inviting you to join us in a radical departure from the norm. It’s an invitation to leave empty pursuits in the past and risk it all.]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/the-intersection-of-foster-care-and-everything</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63a53f6191a673ff366258ca</guid><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><category><![CDATA[FOSTER]]></category><category><![CDATA[CHURCH]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 23 Dec 2022 06:09:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_37364868414b49354a5849~mv2_d_3000_2001_s_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Randall Nichols</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[One Step Closer Devotional (Week 3)]]></title><description><![CDATA[What keeps us from taking one step closer? From following Jesus into the margins and caring for vulnerable people?]]></description><link>https://www.wearetheecho.org/post/one-step-closer-devotional-week-3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">637d0b7bc961c71dbc43484d</guid><category><![CDATA[SUPPORT]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2022 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/16e3f7_241ac0ba56f0425b991e0714381fa369~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelley Nichols</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>