08/06/2025
**FOSTER PARENT SPOTLIGHT!**
When you walk into Jamie Fugate's home, you’re greeted not just by her calming energy and easygoing nature but also by her big, fluffy dog named Toaster! Jamie has a sense of warmth that makes you feel immediately at ease. But what really sets her apart is the unwavering commitment she brings to fostering youth in our program.
Jamie is calm, kind, and quietly fierce in the way she loves and advocates for others. Her presence is grounding, and she’s the one you want nearby when things get tough. For the youth in her care, that steady, loving presence has made all the difference.
Jamie’s path to becoming a foster parent began with her own childhood in the foster care system, a time marked by neglect, fear, and pain. “It wasn’t a good foster home,” she shared. “They didn’t treat me or my brother well. I remember thinking, even as a kid, I can do better than this.” And she has.
Jamie has fostered many youth over the years; some short-term, some long-term, and two she's adopted into her forever family. “I stopped fostering for a while,” she said. “Because I wanted to adopt them all, but I knew I couldn’t. And then I missed it, so I came to OCP looking for something more temporary.” But with Jamie, “temporary” is never just temporary. The youth she’s cared for often stay in her life long after they leave her home. She keeps in touch with many of them, and she never stops caring.
Today, Jamie specializes in fostering older youth, often OYA boys who have experienced multiple placement disruptions or who are working toward independent living. She’s built a reputation for taking in teens who need a soft landing, someone to believe in them, and a place to start over. Her approach is warm but firm. She’s known for holding high expectations while always offering second chances. “She’s incredibly skilled,” one staff member shared. “She’s calm in a crisis, and she always shows up. She helps youth feel connected to her, and to something bigger.”
Jamie’s home is more than just safe; it’s nurturing. From helping youth learn to budget and grocery shop, to getting them involved in volunteer work or finding a job, she’s deeply committed to their growth and success.
Beyond the day-to-day support, Jamie’s family has always embraced her role as a foster parent. Her daughter invites foster youth on vacations. Her siblings make room at the table. On Mother’s Day and birthdays and all the little moments in between, her family just includes them. “They always end up really liking the kids,” Jamie said with a laugh. “They just become part of the family.”
Jamie has raised children with complex needs, stood beside them through trauma and healing, and has been in their corner every step of the way. Her story is one of resilience, but even more, it’s a story of transformation, of taking what was broken and building something beautiful. When asked if she has any regrets, she doesn’t hesitate: “No regrets. Everyone in my family is doing really, really well. And that’s what matters.”
And she continues to show up, with unwavering patience, open arms, and deep compassion. Whether it’s offering a second chance when others wouldn’t, helping a youth reenter her home after time away, or simply remembering each child’s story with tenderness instead of judgment, Jamie leads with love.
We are honored to know and work with Jamie, and we are endlessly grateful for the warmth, wisdom, and unwavering stability she brings to the youth in our community!
