If you have ever had the honor of being present at the birth of a child, you know how special, moving and miraculous that experience is. Witnessing the loving parents hover over every need that a little baby has is one of the most tender and beautiful moments in life. “Are they getting enough milk?” “ Do you think he's warm enough?” “Is her poop supposed to be that color?” Every comfort and need the newborn has is met by loving parents, family, dedicated nurses, and doctors. Sadly, most babies that come into foster care do not have the same beginning.

Drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, and chaos are the ugly threads that mark their creation.

One baby girl -- with a horrendous story -- became the catalyst and fire for Patty Boles and her husband Rich. For over 40 years, Patty and Rich have fostered more than 150 children; most with special needs.  Eleven of those kids became permanent additions through the adoption process!

And if that wasn't enough, Patty decided to open the Straight From the Heart resource center to make an even larger impact on the lives of foster kids and their caregivers. 

Equipped with a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge about the child welfare system, Patty, along with four other proactive foster moms, opened the center including a resale store in a nondescript strip mall located in a sleepy little San Diego suburb called San Marcos, CA. The facility has been regularly rented by a local college to host required training courses for future foster parents and the center became a safe zone for children to have reunification meetings with their birth families. Over the past 25 years, they created a place that quickly became the heart center for foster families throughout the area.

Today, there is an army of volunteers who keep the shop running. Through the generosity of many -- clothing, toys, books, bikes, and home goods fill the racks at the thrift shop and proceeds from the sales benefit foster kids and their caregivers. 

When COVID hit, facility rental -- the primary source of fundraising -- came to abrupt halt. In-person classes were discontinued and our primary source of funding evaporated overnight. For 14 long months, the center and shop were closed. The situation became grave. Again, through kindness, the help of volunteers, countless hours writing grant proposals, and so much love -- the little shop was saved! Classes remain in virtual mode and the shop is now the primary source of ongoing fundraising. 

Please visit our donation page and discover ways to donate today. Every dollar makes a difference!