Top 5 Reasons for You to Become a Foster Parent

1. God calls us to care for children in foster care! According to James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” There are more than 1,200 children in our region who have no place to call home. They are those whom the Bible calls orphans. By neglecting the plight of His children, we too are neglecting God’s call to serve.
2. Our children deserve a future. Children in foster care are just like any other child who has hopes and dreams. The difference is that they have endured significant loss and pain and are in need of a supportive, loving home to help them heal. These children will grow up to be young adults, spouses, co-workers, leaders, church members, and coaches. They are an integral part of our community and deserve our support.
3. They need your love. Many prospective foster families worry about getting too attached to the children in their care and having to let them go. Yes, this will happen and you will grieve. However, consider where each child would be if you had never entered the picture. Where would they have laid their head at night? How would they have learned to attach? To love? To be able to love others and God? The love that you pour into a child will provide the foundation for their future as they grow into successful adults. What an amazing gift!
4. You will not be alone. We will make sure you have all of the training and support you need. Place of Hope provides ongoing courses designed to equip you as foster parents to be the best you can be. You will be provided a support worker to guide you before and throughout your fostering journey. Our large support network of foster families is a helpful resource in which you can share stories, receive advice, and get to know others at our regular connection events.
5. There is an orphan crisis in our backyard. Every single month, about 100 children are moved out of our county because there are not enough homes to care for them while in foster care. On top of the immense loss of their family, they will also be separated from siblings, friends, schools, and their community. Research shows that children in foster care have more successful reunifications and shorter term foster care placements when they are able to see their biological family regularly. More foster homes in our community equates to more stability and increased hope for our children.

What are you prepared to do?