Meet Melissa Ernst. As a foster mom, she has witnessed firsthand the need for positive mentorship relationships in two specific areas: 1) foster family><biological family and 2) foster family><foster family. As Mrs. Red River Valley International 2020, Melissa strives to foster positive mentorship relationships within the foster community through her self-developed platform "FOSTERing Positive mentorship Relationships".  It is her intention, through her platform, to model what a positive mentorship relationship can look like between a foster family and a biological family, as well as providing support and mentorship to fellow foster families. 

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The FOSTER YOUR COMMUNITY Initiative works toward those same goals by hosting drives to show community support to the foster community and at-risk families. The FOSTER YOUR COMMUNITY Initiative answers the question she hears so often: "What can I do to help?" through providing a real, tangible, and extremely meaningful way for community members to get involved in making an impact on the life of a child. While she is launching this initiative in her own community, it is carefully designed to be easily adopted by any caring individual or business to host drives in their own communities with guidance and support provided by the initiative.

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Professionally, Melissa is a Registered Nurse with over twelve years of experience in the areas of neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, surgery, hospice, and home care. Currently, she is partnered with Little Miracles, Inc. Pediatric Therapy Clinic and Childcare Center as their Director of Marketing and Community Engagement Coordinator.

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Personally, Melissa is a proud wife to her husband, Charles, a loving mother to their daughters, Hailey and Hilary, stepmother to Morgan, and step-grandmother to Morgans two children. Known as "Mama Melissa" to the many children who have come to their family through foster care, she is intentional in her endeavor that EVERY child in their home knows that they are unconditionally loved and supported.

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Melissa credits much of her desire for helping others to her beautiful upbringing in a farming community in the upper Red River Valley; a start in life for which she feels very grateful. Her servant's heart has motivated her to lead a movement of change for the betterment of her community and beyond. She could not be more honored to represent the Red River Valley and her platform as Mrs. Red River Valley International 2020 and looks forward to making an impact in her own community and helping you make an impact in yours.