This blog is written by Andrew Holmes, 4KIDS Director of Church Engagement. Once you’ve seen Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, you may find your heart moved to action on behalf of vulnerable children in your own backyard. But then you may wonder, “What can I possibly do to enact the kind of change this Possum Trot community was able to achieve together?” One of the best parts of this story is that they were ordinary people with a heart to serve and love to give. These simple acts of kindness and commitment led them to make an unbelievable impact. Here are 4 actionable steps you can take if you feel moved into action for kids in need: Open Your Home Just like we saw in Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, kids need families who are willing to open their hearts and their homes. By welcoming in a child who has nowhere else to turn, you’re offering the kind of love and stability that can change a life forever. Every community needs more families who are willing to step into the foster care system and offer what every child truly needs–a family and a home they can count on. Wrap Around Families Serving both current foster families and families who are at-risk of breaking down is all a part of making a difference. Find out if your church or community has any current foster or adoptive families and discover ways to wrap around them with meals, support, and encouragement. You can also seek out organizations like CarePortal that help at-risk families receive the support they need so we can see less children enter foster care because of their family’s lack of basic necessities. Give There are organizations across the country that are on the frontlines everyday to make a difference in the lives of kids in foster care–and they need you to be a part of the movement! If you’re not familiar with a local ministry or nonprofit in your area that serves kids in foster care, utilize the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) as a trusted way to search for local organizations you can partner with. Every gift counts and makes a difference in your community. Pray It can be hard to see these stories up close. We may be tempted to try to put them out of our minds because of the sadness they can bring up in our hearts. But we know that keeping these kids’ stories in the forefront of our minds and consistently in our prayers is the most powerful thing we can do. Use your voice to tell others about the story you’ve now seen and ask them to join you in prayer for children who are waiting to experience the love of a family. Take the Next Step Everyone can do something for kids in crisis–kids are waiting for us to step in and make a difference. Whether you are moved to foster, serve, or give you can check out the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) website for a list of organizations who offer you the chance to do just that. You can also see if CarePortal is available in your area and start meeting the essential needs of vulnerable families. Finding a local ministry to partner with is a powerful way to be a part of a movement for change. If you’re located in South Florida or neighboring regions, you can check out 4KIDS. For 25+ years they have been igniting local South Florida churches to solve the foster care crisis–Until Every Child Has a Home. Fill out a quick contact form here for next steps.
