Volunteer Spotlight: Julie Pfannenstein to Provide Experiences with Nature

Julie Pfannenstein, founder of Sassy Sisters Kayaks, has a passion for the outdoors and is enthusiastic about sharing that with others. She discovered Cobbled Streets a couple of years ago at a CampExperience event and then had the opportunity to attend the Rebecoming Me film showing we hosted with PBS12. Julie shared that this powerful film "inspired her even more to want to provide experiences for children in care to be closer with nature." 

Julie, an ACA Certified Kayak Instructor, invited our Program Coordinator, Kiara Galvan, a chance to "test the waters" and see what the experience would be like for the children interested in a kayaking opportunity. Kiara had an incredible time paddling on the serene water of Cherry Creek Reservoir's protected wetlands preserve!

Julie is excited about providing this free service to give children in foster care a chance to experience and appreciate the water and all of the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. In addition to physical health benefits, kayaking brings the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence, bond with friends and family, and release stress from everyday life.

Julie and our Program Team have an outing planned in late August with a group of Cobbled Streets kids ages 12-17.

We are so grateful for our volunteers! If you are interested in offering experiences to children in foster care by donating your time, talent, and passion, please reach out to Kiara Galvan at kiara@cobbledstreets.org.

How We Keep Failing Foster Kids

By Shari F. Shink, Esq., Governing

They need meaningful, continuing relationships to carry them into adulthood. But the child welfare system isn’t set up to provide that.

It’s painfully true of far too many foster kids: a belief that everyone will disappear from their lives forever. Parents leave, caseworkers change, siblings are sent away and foster families are switched without warning. Instead of the continuity all children need to thrive, the best these kids can hope for is to survive.

That’s because the foster care system is not set up to support connections or create any sense of permanency. Instead, the most trusted adults become temporary. Friendships, along with foster placements, end. The expedient solution, which often involves moving a child, wins out over one that would allow for the best outcome in the long term but that would require the time and attention that no one seems to have.

As an attorney who has represented hundreds of foster children in court over three decades, I know firsthand how many people will pass through their lives — judges, caseworkers and other child welfare officials — without even asking them what they want or need. I also know what the No. 1 answer would be for many of the 390,000-plus children in foster care across the United States: a relationship that lasts.

Summer Intern

Welcome, Mia Koy!



We are delighted to have Mia Koy join the Cobbled Streets team as a Program Intern! Mia just finished her first year of college at the University of Oregon. She is pursuing a degree in Family and Human Services and is excited to have an opportunity to work with kids and families in the foster care system. 

This is her first internship, and she is "beyond grateful for the opportunity" to learn more about the foster care system and its impact, not only on the kids we serve, but also on the community.

Mia has known Shari Shink since she was adopted as a baby! Mia’s dad worked with Shari for many years at the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, which represented the same population that Cobbled Streets now serves.

Mia shared, "Shari has always had such a profound impact on me, and I know she has an impact on the kids she works with. I have never met someone so passionate and selfless when it comes to bettering the lives of children. I also have greatly enjoyed getting to know the Cobbled Streets team as everyone has been so welcoming. Working alongside Sara and Kiara has enriched my work as they continue to guide and teach me with their kind hearts."