Chair of the Day: Sarah Wedebrand

Amber is the Founder and Executive Director of Foster Heart + Hope, an organization dedicated to supporting children in the foster care system. Married to Matt for 22 years, they have been foster and adoptive parents for 18 years, welcoming over a dozen children into their home, from respite care to long-term placements, and ultimately to forever families. Each child they’ve cared for has offered them a unique perspective on life. Currently, they have five children—Trevon, Jayda, Leo, Demetrius, and Berkley—who keep their lives fun and interesting. One of Amber’s greatest joys has been building relationships with the children’s parents, siblings, and relatives, as she tirelessly advocates for families navigating the foster care system.

 

Amber's contributions to her community were recognized in 2023 when her family received the Heartland Family Service Salute to Families Community Service Honoree award. Additionally, she was honored as the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Angels in Adoption Nebraska District 2 Award Recipient in 2022.

 

Born and raised in Papillion, Amber played soccer for two years with the Huskers after high school, finishing her playing career at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where she was part of the team that won a National Championship in 2005. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UNO and later completed her Master's in Coaching and Leadership at Bellevue University. Amber served as the assistant women’s soccer coach at Bellevue University for 11 seasons before making a career shift in 2019 to coach at Orangetheory Fitness, where she continues to work part-time.

 

It was during this transition that she laid the groundwork for what was initially known as Foster Love. The organization started in her basement during the pandemic and has since grown significantly, evolving into a storefront boutique in 2021 and, most recently, a beautiful new 8,000-square-foot space.