Founder Letter

Imagine being removed from your home at a moment’s notice, without time to gather your thoughts or belongings and told that your parents can no longer take care of you. Thousands of foster children face this reality every year and blame themselves for a life they do not deserve.

It was 2004 when my passion for supporting foster youth made me realize we must do more, these youth are truly a population that has been underserved by both our government and community. At first, I honed in on finding a solution for permanent adoption and founded Bridge Meadows, an intergenerational community, which opened in 2011. Then I asked myself what is next, and more importantly – how can I serve more youth and expand my impact.

Later that year, I read an article about the Department of Human Services reducing clothing vouchers for foster children. I started thinking about my foster son Alan, and remembered that when he came to live with us, all he had was a paper bag with 2 pairs of socks and some shorts. The next day I took Alan shopping, it was his first ever trip to a clothing store. Alan’s eyes widened with excitement and he picked out brand new outfits for school. He savored cutting off the tags all by himself. Alan’s teacher noticed an immediate difference in Alan; he was happier, a little more confident, sat a little taller in his chair. Recalling this memory made me determined to help.

In 2012 an idea sparked, I wanted to create a retail store specifically for foster youth. The goal? Send these kiddos back-to-school with self-esteem and confidence, knowing that like Alan, they’d look just like every other kid on the playground.

After meeting with community leaders, Portland’s City Council, DHS case workers and local business owners, I rallied together a group of caring and compassionate community members to create a pop-up store for foster youth. In just one month, Project Lemonade served 1,000 foster youth. With growing community support this pop-up became permanent, grew and expanded our reach, and now operates year-round from a retail store that has served more than 15,000+ foster youth in Oregon and beyond with the support of more than 750 committed volunteers.

As Founder, the idea for Project Lemonade is rooted in one of my life’s missions, to recognize that every child has a gift and to help foster youth achieve their dreams and goals. Everything I do, I do for the kids.  

The fearless leader Winston Churchill said, “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” With so many odds against our foster children let’s do what we can to turn lemons into lemonade. Thank you for your support for foster youth in our community.

Thoughtfully,
Rhonda Meadows
Founder, Project Lemonade