Episode 06 - Foster Care
Fostering and caring for children is so close to our hearts. We recognize that fostering is not for everyone, but if you have ever considered opening your home, I want to encourage you to go for it! You can make a massive difference in the lives of these kiddos, no matter how long they are in your care. If fostering is not in the cards right now (or maybe ever), there are still some fantastic ways you can help!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
PRAYER
Of course, prayer is the best way to support foster families. Pray scriptures over them, asking for God’s peace, strength, and provision.
RESPITE
Respite is a great way to provide a temporary home for a child in foster care to provide relief for a foster family for things like vacations, work trips, etc. Respite can range from one day to a few weeks.
PROVIDING A MEAL
Do you know a family that is currently fostering? Sending a gift card to DoorDash or making a home-cooked meal can go a long way to help provide support.
HELP WITH CHORES
Simple things like mowing the lawn, helping with laundry, and even some household cleaning can relieve some of the pressure that is added when taking a new child into your home.
SEND THEM A CARD
You might be surprised by the power of a handwritten card or note! Just drop a little line of encouragement to tell them you are praying for them and are there if they need anything.
Whatever you do, remember that having a foster child is like having a new baby in the house (except sometimes that baby is a toddler or a teenager!). Their lives may be very busy, so just continue to pray and encourage those foster families whenever you can!
FOSTER CARE RESOURCES
There are a lot of great ways you can get involved with fostering. Here are some places to start:
If you are in Indiana, ITOWN Church has many great resources for foster families and those interested in serving them. Even if you are not, you can purchase items from our Amazon Wish List and help support foster families in Central Indiana.
Find out how many kids in your state need a home. Also, great resources like the Foster Friendly App to help foster families find great resources near them.
Connect with the local DCS office in your area to learn more about becoming licensed.
Hands of Hope is a great organization in Indiana that provides resources for foster families and offers ways for you to get involved!