10/06/2026
From Boys & Girls Aid:
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In the late 1800s, Portland faced a crisis of homeless and abandoned youth who had little support. At the time, these vulnerable children were met with scant compassion; the common response was to incarcerate or institutionalize them. However, our founder, Thomas Lamb Eliot, refused to give up on these kids. In 1885, he rallied Portland’s leaders to establish the Boys & Girls Aid Society of Oregon, taking legal custody of at-risk youth and placing them in private foster homes to provide the care and stability they desperately needed.
For 140 years and counting, Boys & Girls Aid’s foster parents have upheld this
compassionate legacy — transforming countless lives and creating a better world, one child at a time. The profound impact of providing a stable, supportive home to a youth navigating the foster care system is difficult to capture in words. Beyond well-documented improvements in education and career outcomes, our foster parents give children the love and consistency they need to form lasting relationships and achieve a secure future. Few acts of service can change a life so completely — and right now, more than ever, we need dedicated foster parents to help make that difference.
By becoming a foster parent with Boys & Girls Aid, you can provide the foundation that empowers a child to thrive and lead a fulfilling life. We offer extensive support to all of our foster parents, including 24/7 staff support, financial assistance, and paid time off when needed. Whether you can commit to a full-time placement or just a few days each month, we have options that can fit your schedule.
You have the power to change a child’s life. For more information, visit
boysandgirlsaid.org/fostercare