Heartbeat Foster Family Support

Heartbeat Family Support Services is a 501(c) (3)  Native non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and families within the foster care system. We operate through volunteers, a testament to support and dedicated community members like you, who are integral to our mission. 

As a hundred percent volunteer organization, Heartbeat relies on public donations, and collaborates with other non-profits to engage 12 to 20 volunteer workforce. Ninety percent of all contributions help fund our programs and support services for foster children. 

Heartbeat Family Support Services was established in 2002 by Co-Executive Directors Chryss James (BSW, MPA) and Maddy Krygier (BA), along with a team of social service professionals, including social workers, therapists, and mental health providers experienced in working with children in foster care. Initially, Heartbeat offered training on caring for foster children on the Tulalip Reservation when the state foster care system provided no training for foster families, kinship providers, and relative caregivers. They also made themselves available for consultation and support. A common theme for tribal children in the foster care system was their lack of access to learning about Native cultural traditions.  

Heartbeat's focus on cultural connections to Native beliefs, values, and traditions, while promoting food sovereignty and stable housing, brings hope and optimism to our community. We adapt our services to meet the changing needs of Native children in foster care, ensuring a brighter future for all.  

Educating children about their Native culture, traditions, and beliefs is essential for fostering a profound sense of identity and connection to their heritage. Cultural anchors, such as Native songs, dances, storytelling, drumming, and regalia, play a crucial role in creating a shared identity. Culture opens doors to a world filled with vibrant traditions, age-old wisdom, and sacred beliefs. This education nurtures an understanding of their ancestors’ legacy, instilling a sense of pride that flows through generations.  

When children learn about traditional practices—whether through storytelling, ceremonial dances, or intricate crafts—they gain insight into the values that shape their community. They discover the significance of the land, the rhythms of nature, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. These teachings foster respect not only for their heritage but also for the environment that sustains them. This reciprocal relationship strengthens their connection with Mother Earth, reflecting Native values, traditions, and practices that honor the natural world.  

Cultural reclamation, which emphasizes reclaiming these anchors while fostering unity and a sense of belonging, is a testament to our strength and determination. Our communities showcase remarkable resilience, despite cultural aspects and items being exploited for profit and dominance. We can all take pride in supporting this now and for the next seven generations.  

        In 2006, Heartbeat Family Support Services became a Native non-profit organization and gained tax-exempt status in 2010. 

         In 2016, in partnership with First Nations and the Small Tribes of Western Washington, we initiated a food sovereignty garden to empower children and their families with the knowledge to grow and supplement their diets with healthy, nutritious food. We offer classes on various gardening methods, including container gardening, raised-bed gardening, hydroponics, and hugel-kulture. We also teach food preservation and dehydration techniques to complement diets with nutritious foods.

   In 2019, co-director Chryss James initiated a significant project focused on effective housing solutions. This endeavor has fostered collaborations with Washington State University, the Industrial Hemp Association of Washington, and several tribal organizations throughout the state. The goal of the ongoing project is to construct a healthy hemp home and education center using hemp.  It is a building material that resists pests, fire, and mold. It also provides excellent insulation, making it a progressive choice for sustainable housing. Experienced architects, engineers, and home builders will lead hemp building workshops via hands-on building experiences, videos, seminars, workshops, and one-on-one consultations for professionals and community members.

          The Yak'ei Hit Education Center will be the first of its kind on the Tulalip Reservation. The Colville Tribe will supply hemp for the project, and the Tulalip Tribal Planning Department will oversee the construction to ensure compliance with International Residential Codes.

           The Yak'ei Hit Education Center will provide energy-efficient, healthy, and affordable housing solutions for Native children, their families, elderly individuals, and those with disabilities. It will also serve as a space for education and community gatherings.