Nikki Longwell is a wife to Brian (celebrating 23 years this August) and a mom to her three kiddos, Halle, Tayler and Reid. Her adult life has been a story of deep love, loss and countless miracles as God grew her family through hospital stays and adoption programs. 

Though it's been a wild ride, she wouldn't change a thing. God has used it all and led her to Village of Hope.

1) What kind of work do you do at Village of Hope CDA?

I am the President and co-founder with Rachael Van Valin at Village of Hope CDA, a nonprofit that supports our local foster care community. Our office is in the Canopy Village Family Support Center and we work closely with them, but we are two very separate entities. 

2) What drew you to get involved there?

My husband and I were foster parents before adopting two of our kiddos. It was a very frustrating and lonely time and we didn't want other families to have the same experience. 

So together, with my dear friend Rachael, we opened Village of Hope CDA as an avenue for our community to rally together to support not only foster families but also those in crisis, aiming to prevent kids from coming into foster care in the first place.

3) What hobbies or pastimes do you do?

Well, I'm a mom of three kiddos with extra needs, so I guess you'd say they are my hobbies! During our "spare" time, we are involved in serving at church and in our youth ministry there. 

My life loves are Jesus, my family and friends, chocolate, golfing, hiking and seeing people using their God-given gifts.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I'm not sure it would surprise everyone, but I love all things root cause health. Our daughter weighed less than a pound when she was born, so she spent the first seven or so years immersed in the medical system. 

I was introduced to alternative health when Western medicine had no other answers. It spurred a passion in me for learning that I didn't know I had! 

So, you won't find a juicy romance novel by the bedside, it's usually some book on root cause wellness or health of some sort. I love learning!

5) What have been some of the best/most impactful moments in your career?

One day in particular sticks in my mind. I got a call from the Department of Health and Welfare asking if we could get a weighted blanket for a little girl who had just been placed in foster care. 

To be honest, I didn't have time to run around that day and I had a bit of a frustrated attitude. When I arrived to drop off the blanket, I watched as the little girl, sad and scared to death, gripped the hand of the social worker as they paced up and down the hallway. I was reminded that these babies don't get a choice in the matter of foster care. 

They are scared. They need change. They need us. They need our community to care for them.

Last year, one of my own kiddos was struggling, so we were in a position to "receive care" from Village of Hope. It was incredibly humbling and impactful for our family. 

The 10-week Halo program we participated in, not only gave us helpful tools for our home life, but connected families needing support. It opened my eyes again to the significant need these families have for one another and support from our community. 

More info:

A fundraiser for Village of Hope CDA is coming up Oct. 9. Information about how to support the event will be available closer to the event at www.villageofhopecda.com.

    Nikki Longwell
  

    Nikki Longwell and Brian Longwell
  

    Rachael Van Valin and Nikki Longwell, founders of Village of Hope during a foster parent night out.
  

    Nikki Longwell and her family