Russell Family, Pillager, MN

We are Ethan and Annie Russell. We live in a quiet neighborhood in Pillager, Minnesota along the Crow Wing River with our 18-month-old and we are expecting another soon. We also share custody of two of our elementary-aged daughters. Ethan’s parents live in attached apartment and are around to help when needed. Our home is full of generosity; we all help each other where we can. Over the years, we’ve unintentionally created a life that I believe is the perfect scenario to be adult foster care providers. We know welcoming someone into our home will be an adjustment, but between the two of us and Ethan’s mother, there will always be someone available to provide care. We believe this will help with a smooth transition.

We are happiest when we are together. Our faith is important to us, and we practice it daily. We are heavily involved in our church community and we both volunteer on a weekly basis at our church. Our perfect day would most likely be spent outside. We garden, ride bikes, and spend time by the river. Right now, Ethan works full time as a carpenter, but as we transition into adult foster care, he will be quitting his full-time job so that both of us can be home with our kids.

The available room is upstairs with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom shared with the room across the hall. Shared spaces include our living room that has a large tv, reading chairs, a piano, guitar, and lots of floor space for our kids to play. The kitchen is always busy as Annie loves to cook. Most of our chores are split up and the person we support would also share this responsibility, for chores they’re able to do. We hope to provide someone with a family setting they seek to live in. We also hope that they can transition into a routine similar to or better than what they previously were accustomed.

Ethan grew up with parents who managed a senior-living apartment complex, and his mother also worked in adult care services for 14 years. We have been around people who’ve needed special care our whole lives and believe we can provide the person we support with whatever care they will need.