Board Member Spotlight

As we embark on a series of spotlights on our board members, we begin with a true pioneer of The Foster Network, Marla Rasmussen, one of our founding members.

Marla is a registered nurse at the Avera Heart Hospital. She and her husband have five children, three of whom were adopted through foster care.

In 2012, Marla and a group of foster parents founded The Foster Network out of a shared desire to provide support for their fellow foster parents and the children in their care. Her leadership has been pivotal in the organization’s growth and its positive impact on countless lives.

One of Marla’s most memorable experiences with The Foster Network is from the organization’s early days. She and two other board members received a $10,000 donation, which had them all in tears. The benefactor didn’t understand why they were so emotional, but they doubled their annual budget and the impact they could make with their generous gift.

Marla is very proud of the ways The Foster Network can fill the gaps in needs that other programs can’t. She says, “It is rewarding to see how grateful and relieved families and children are when they receive help with things like Christmas presents and school supplies.”

Marla’s vision for The Foster Network is one of continued growth and expanded support for more families. She dreams of seeing the organization in a larger facility that can accommodate all of its programs and even provide space for other nonprofits. This vision reflects her unwavering commitment to making The Foster Network a comprehensive resource hub.

When asked how the community can support The Foster Network, Marla says, “I have always said if you cannot foster, donate. If you can’t donate, become a volunteer. Everyone can make a difference in foster care. It doesn’t matter if it is one dollar donated, one piece of clothing donated, or one volunteer hour given. Everything makes a difference and helps impact kids in foster care and the families taking care of them. No gift or time is too small.”

Join us in celebrating Marla’s achievements as a board member of The Foster Network and an advocate for foster families. We are so grateful for you, Marla!