The Ruth Project Comes to DeKalb County

The Ruth Project, a non-profit that provides ongoing support and community to foster children and their foster families, is expanding its reach by adding a 33-acre farm in Sycamore.

"We are so excited to be here," said Tammy McMahan, founder and executive director of The Ruth Project. "The Farm is the pivotal next step of our vision and mission. We want to provide a place of refuge and hope for children and their foster families who live right in our own backyard."

Illinois has 22,000 children in the foster system. 90% are located in the state's most Northeastern counties, which means these children and families are in our communities, neighborhoods, and schools. The Ruth Project comes alongside these families with encouragement to foster long-term by providing them with practical help, ongoing support, and the community they so badly need. Fostering is not an easy journey and 50% of all foster families quit after their first year, worn out and financially spent.

"Long-term, ongoing support is what differentiates us from other organizations that support foster families," explained McMahan. "Having personally walked through the joys and heartbreak of caring for children, we deeply understand the foster journey and how lonely it can be. The Farm gives us a place to build relationship and share hope in real and intimate ways."

Located within driving distance for most Illinois foster families, The Farm already had everything The Ruth Project needed to host children and their foster families. The barns and grounds simply needed to be transformed into spaces specifically designed for kids - quickly accomplished with the help of over 180 Ruth Project volunteers.

"Thanks to our volunteers, every corner of The Farm has been customized for purposeful events for foster children and families," explained McMahan. "Parents come to build friendships, kids can be kids in wide open spaces, and all are encouraged in ways they cannot experience anywhere else."

Since arriving in February, The Ruth Project has hosted over 560 at "Grandma's Farmhouse" dinner table, including foster families, volunteers, donors, and people simply interested in rallying around the fostering community. Local businesses are also getting involved. Chick-fil-A in Elgin provides sponsorship in several ways, including donating The Farm's Chicken Coop for nearly 30 chickens. Also, Lowe's and Home Depot are supporting The Farm's "Grandpa's Workshop" mentoring program. Lowe's tool kits and Home Depot's building kits make it possible for children to learn basic woodworking skills and bring home a project made with their own hands.

"We are visibly seeing hope and dignity restored in these children's faces every time they come to one of our events," said McMahan. "And the sense of relief from parents that they are not alone is evident whenever they gather together here, too."

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Volunteers invest their time and talents in caring for the Greenhouse, the large-motor play barn, the Ice Cream Shoppe, gardens and berry bushes, and The Ruth Project donkey, cow, ducks, goats, and sheep. Also, plans are underway for an Activity Path around the perimeter of the land, an Event Barn for large-scale events, and cottages for families to get away since vacations are few and far between.

There is an open invitation to the community to come see The Ruth Project Farm and find out more at their Grand Opening on July 29 from 2-7 p.m. Guests will enjoy tours, food trucks, ice cream, and old-fashioned fair games.