By Leon Abravanel…There are kids in South Lake Tahoe right now who, when things fall apart at home, don’t have a place to stay locally. And when that happens, they get sent out of the area. Away from their teachers and coaches. Away from their friends. Out of the only sense of normal they have left.

What it Actually Takes

People ask all the time what it takes to be a great foster parent. Melissa — a local foster parent — put it well:

“People who have done the work to really know and understand themselves, and can be open and flexible, make the best foster parents.”

Not perfect people.
Not people with all the answers.
Not people who can say yes to any child, to any placement.
Just people who are steady, self-aware, and willing to meet kids where they are, when it also works for them and their families.

The Goal isn’t to Fix Everything

One thing Melissa was really clear about: “My goal when our family is accepting placements is to not add to trauma for these children.”

That’s it. Because entering foster care is already a massive disruption. No matter how or why it happens, it’s hard.

And sometimes what a kid needs most isn’t someone to fix everything — it’s just a safe place to land.

“Being a safe, nonjudgmental place kids can land — even for 24–48 hours — is what I can offer.”

That perspective shifts everything.

Even Short-term Matters

Many placements aren’t long-term.

Sometimes kids just need:
● A night
● A weekend
● A few days

And when there’s no one available locally, they leave the area. Now, in addition to losing a parent(s), they also leave their friends, their schools, their teacher – everything they know.

Melissa said it plainly: “Getting those calls where I have to say no, and kids are sent out of the county, feels painful every time.”

That’s the gap. And that’s what this effort is trying to solve.

The Honest Part

There’s also something else she pointed out that matters:

“I do have to say no often… I need to make sure everyone in my family is on board and prepared when we say yes.”

That kind of honesty is what makes a good foster parent.
Knowing your limits.
Knowing your family.
And saying yes when it’s the right yes.

Why This is Happening

Because of that need, Sierra Child & Family Services is hosting local Foster Parents Recruitment Info Sessions — and Melissa will share her experience on the ground.

The goal is simple:
Get more local families involved, so fewer kids have to leave Tahoe.

“There is an incredible amount of need in the system, and these kids deserve all the love and support that any healthy, safe adults can offer.”

Info Sessions

If you’ve ever thought about fostering — even a little — this is a good place to start.

In-Person
Monday, June 1
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Sierra Child & Family Services – 924 Emerald Bay Road A2 (back of the building)

Virtual (Zoom)
Tuesday, June 2
5:30-7:00 PM

RSVP to Melissa at melissahwhitehouse@gmail.com to receive the invites for the Zoom or in-person sessions.

More Ways to Help

Fostering isn’t the only way to show up for these youth in our community. If being a foster parent isn’t possible for you, Melissa also mentioned becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) — another way to support our kids in the system.

If you’re interested, feel free to reach out directly to Melissa and have a conversation about her experience with being a CASA for almost 4 years.

Tahoe Together

This is what Tahoe Together is about. Not just good events — but real needs in the community, and people stepping up to meet them.

If this resonates, show up to a session.

If it’s not for you, share it with someone who might be a fit.

Sometimes helping doesn’t mean changing everything.
Sometimes it just means being a safe place when it matters most.