Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Humerickhouse.
Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, but spent nearly a decade in Northern California before marrying my wonderful husband, Dave, and returning to Michigan to pursue what we both felt was a clear calling into foster care. In 2017 we became licensed foster parents, and by the following year we welcomed our first placement. Since then, we’ve had seven additional children come through our home and were blessed to grow our family through the adoption of our beautiful daughter.
Experiencing the needs and challenges of foster families firsthand—and leaning heavily on our faith and obedience to God’s calling—stirred something deeper in us. In 2020, we opened the Foster Families Navigation and Resource Center (FFNRC). It began humbly in a 200-square-foot closet, serving families with whatever resources we could gather and slowly growing over that first year.
In 2021, we were gifted a 6,000-square-foot building, and the impact has been exponential ever since. What started as one small closet has now grown into four centers, and this year alone we will have served nearly 1,800 people.
The journey has been shaped by faith, community, and a deep desire to walk alongside families who are doing incredibly hard and beautiful work. Each step—from that tiny closet to four thriving centers—has brought us to where we are today, serving more families than we ever imagined when we first began.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. I didn’t come from a nonprofit background, so there were a lot of things I had to learn and figure out as we went. Everything from systems and fundraising to compliance and organizational structure felt new at some point. But along the way, we were surrounded by so many wonderful individuals who chose to walk alongside me and our team. I quickly realized that I didn’t have to know all the answers—I just needed to know where to go for help. That mindset, along with a lot of prayer, humility, and willingness to learn, has carried us through the challenging seasons and allowed the organization to grow in healthy, sustainable ways.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Foster Families Navigation and Resource Center exists to walk alongside foster, kinship, and adoptive families with practical support, advocacy, and a deep sense of community. At our core, we specialize in coming alongside families during some of the most challenging and vulnerable moments of their journey. We provide essential items, resource navigation, mentoring, crisis support, and a welcoming place where families know they are seen, valued, and not alone.
What we’re known for—and what sets us apart—is the way we combine tangible resources with relational care. Many organizations offer clothing or supplies, and those things matter. But at FFNRC, we pair those essentials with emotional support, guidance, and a trauma-informed approach that honors the dignity of every child and caregiver who walks through our doors. We don’t just hand out items; we build relationships and provide a safety net that families can rely on.
Because we know that with the right resources and wraparound care, we can create a sustainable community of foster, adoptive, and kinship families. And when we strengthen the systems and support networks caring for our kiddos, we ultimately better care for our youth and their futures.
I’m most proud of the way our brand communicates warmth, dignity, and hope. Everything we do is shaped by the belief that families thrive when they feel supported, understood, and empowered. From our centers to our volunteers to the way we interact with each family, our goal is to create an experience that says, “You matter, and you don’t have to do this alone.”
Today, with four centers serving nearly 1,800 people a year, our reach continues to grow—but the heart of our mission remains the same. We want readers to know that FFNRC is here to bridge gaps, remove barriers, and walk with families every step of the way. Whether someone needs clothing, beds, mentorship, guidance through the foster care system, or simply a compassionate community, we are committed to meeting those needs with excellence and genuine care.
How do you think about luck?
I’m not a firm believer in luck. I work hard, prepare as much as possible, and surround myself with people who are wise and supportive. But in this walk—in foster care, in leadership, and in building FFNRC—I’ve learned that ultimately God is in control. We’ve seen His provision and guidance in ways that far exceed anything we could have orchestrated on our own. From the people who showed up at exactly the right time to the opportunities and resources we never anticipated, we’ve been blessed beyond measure these past few years. So while I don’t credit luck, I do credit faith, obedience, and a God who continues to open doors we never expected.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fosterfamiliesnrc.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fosterfamiliesnrc
