Showing Up: Q&A with Ashley & Michael Fisher

Q: What first connected you and Michael to Fostering Hope? Was there a particular moment, story, or person that made this feel like the place you wanted to invest?

A: It actually began years ago, when I ran a children’s program called Our Children Making Change. The idea was to teach young children about philanthropy by having them research different charities, present to the group, vote on which organizations they wanted to support, and then raise money for those charities over the summer.

One of the boys presented on Fostering Hope, and he said such thoughtful and touching things about the organization and the children they served that the group ultimately chose Fostering Hope as one of the charities they wanted to support that year. Through that experience, I was introduced to Nicole Sheffrin, and we raised money for Fostering Hope that summer.

That was really my first connection to the organization, and it stayed with me. It eventually became something much more personal and ongoing.

Q: How did your involvement begin: an event, a first gift, an invitation from a friend?

A: I was reintroduced to Fostering Hope through my friend Nicole Lincoln. At the time, I was looking for a place where I could volunteer in a more hands-on way, and she connected me back to the organization.

I started volunteering at Fostering Hope on a weekly basis, which gave me the opportunity to really understand the organization and see firsthand what they were doing for children and families. I think that was also around the time that we began providing financial support.

For me, the combination of volunteering and giving made the relationship with Fostering Hope feel much more meaningful. I wasn't just supporting an organization from a distance. I was able to see the work, meet the people involved, and understand the needs and their impact.

Q: Of all the causes you could support, what draws your family to young people in foster and kinship care?

A: I think the needs are great, and there is so much work to be done. Children in foster and kinship care are dealing with circumstances that they didn't choose, and I think they deserve to know that there are people in their community who see them, care about them, and want to help.

There are so many different needs, both big and small, and I think Fostering Hope does a really important job of helping fill those gaps. Being able to support children in a tangible way is something that has always felt very meaningful to me.

Q: How would you describe your family’s approach to giving? Is there a value or philosophy that guides it?

A: I think we are always working to support our community and make it better for the people who live here. We support several different areas because there are a lot of needs in our community, but I think the common thread is wanting to make a positive difference.

For us, giving isn't just about writing a check. It's also about being involved, giving our time, showing up, and trying to understand where we can be most helpful. When we believe in an organization and the work they are doing, we want to be part of that work in whatever ways we can.

Q: Where did that come from? Was generosity something modeled for you, or something you and Michael built together?

A: I think I have always been a very giving person. For me, that has often meant giving my time and energy, not just financially. My parents demonstrated that for me growing up, so I think it became something that felt very natural.

Now, Mike and I both see giving as something we strive for and place a lot of importance on. We want our family to be involved in our community and to recognize that we all have an opportunity to help make things better for other people.

Q: What makes you stay committed to an organization over many years, rather than giving once and moving on?

A: I feel like we have been able to make a real difference in the organization and, ultimately, in the lives of foster children in our area. That is what keeps us committed.

When you have the opportunity to see an organization grow and see how your time and support are being used, it creates a much deeper connection. We have been able to support Fostering Hope in different ways over the years, and it is meaningful to know that we are contributing to something that directly helps children who really need that support.

Q: Beyond financial support, what does generosity look like in your household?

A: I think generosity is really about showing up for your family and friends. It is remembering the special things that someone likes, checking in when you know someone is having a difficult time, or being there to support someone when they are struggling.

It doesn't always have to be something big. Sometimes it is just paying attention and making someone feel cared for and remembered. I think those small acts of kindness are a really important part of generosity, too.

Q: What keeps you coming back, year after year?

A: I know the impact that both our time and our donations provide. When you see the work firsthand, you understand that the support really matters.

I also think that once you become involved, you start to see how many different ways there are to help. There is always more that can be done, and knowing that our involvement can make even a small difference keeps us coming back.

Q: Is there a program, a moment, or a young person’s story that reminds you why this work matters?

A: One moment that has always stayed with me was when I delivered a birthday gift—a bike—to a foster child. He was so excited, and after I gave it to him, he asked me if I wanted to see him ride it.

It was such a simple moment, but it was really touching. Seeing his excitement over something that most of us might take for granted really reminded me of why these little things matter so much. It wasn't just about giving him a bike. It was about making him feel special on his birthday and knowing that someone had thought about him and wanted to make his day better.

Q: What would you say to someone who’s curious about getting involved but hasn’t yet taken the first step?

A: I would say to just reach out to the office. It is really easy to get involved, and the people at Fostering Hope make it very welcoming.

Volunteering is also a great way to get a better understanding of the organization. You get to see what they are doing, learn about the different needs of the children and families they support, and figure out where you might be able to help.

You don't have to know exactly what you want to do before you get involved. Just taking that first step can give you a much better understanding of how you can make a difference.

Q: What do you wish more people knew about these young people and what they’re capable of?

A: Several years into volunteering and supporting Fostering Hope, I watched the HBO documentary FOSTER, and it really opened my eyes to the issues surrounding children entering foster care and what it can be like for them to be in foster care.

I remember coming away from it thinking about just how great the need really is. These are children who have experienced circumstances that are often completely outside of their control, and they need people to advocate for them and support them.

I also think it is important to remember that these children are so much more than their circumstances. With the right support, encouragement, stability, and people in their corner, they have so much potential. They deserve the opportunity to grow up knowing that they are valued and that their future matters.

Q: To close, what are you most hopeful about for these young people, and for Fostering Hope’s future?

A: I hope these children get the resources and support they need to live a life where they know they are valued, seen, and cared for.

I am hopeful that we can continue to build awareness around the needs of children in foster and kinship care and that more people will understand how important it is to support them. There are so many ways people can make a difference, whether it is through volunteering, donating, or simply showing up.

For Fostering Hope, I hope the organization continues to grow and reach even more children and families who need support. Most of all, I hope every child they serve feels that there are people in their community who believe in them and want to see them succeed.