Why We've Come Together
Our MotivationEvery day 21,000 children live without a stable family in Los Angeles county. Their desperation is our motivation. They need mentors. They need advocates. They need families. They need hope.
God’s Word emphasizes the significance of caring for orphans. In the United States, the abused and neglected children who enter the foster care system are our nation’s “orphans.” Our deeply held desire is to connect the family of Christ to these kids, so that children and youth living in LA foster care can be protected, befriended, prayed for, guided, supported, mentored, encouraged, assisted, and most of all loved, as Christ loved us. We have joined together as a Coalition to better serve these children by networking and providing support and encouragement to agencies/ministries working to connect local churches/Christians with the kids and youth who need them. We also provide seminars to local churches who want to learn more about foster care ministry. |
Our Mission Our ultimate mission is to connect the family of Christ in Los Angeles with the children in foster care who desperately need them. We have come together as a network of agencies and ministries to support and encourage the work of each organization as they pursue this mission.
We are available to conduct seminars/workshops for local churches interested in learning more about how they might get involved. Our seminars include an overview of the foster care system, an understanding of the needs of children and youth in foster care, and the many ways to step in -- praying, advocating, befriending, tutoring, being a camp counselor, fostering, adopting. Please contact us if you are interesting in learning more about having the Coalition conduct a seminar at your church. We also provide a list of local opportunities on our website (see our Volunteer Opportunities page). In addition, some of our ministries are available to provide training and support to churches wanting to know more about how to develop their own foster care ministry. |
What We Provide
Networking and encouragement: The Christian Foster Care Coalition provides a means by which agencies and ministries in Southern California can connect with each other for support, networking, encouragement, and prayer. We gather quarterly, and share resources in between our gatherings. If you are a church, ministry, or organization that has a heart for kids in foster care or youth transitioning out of foster care, you are welcome to join our gatherings.
Local Church Advocacy: The Coalition strives to serve the local church with her mandate to care for the fatherless in our community -- in this case, kids in the foster care system without a stable family. Since every church is different, we begin by discerning how God has uniquely shaped and equipped your church community to be a light to families in need. We have gifted speakers available for general training and awareness, to share with the congregation on a Sunday morning, in small groups, or to work with your leadership or ministry teams. We want to be a resource to your church however you feel we can best support you.
Info Fairs: (Currently paused) At our Foster Care Info Fairs, we provide an overview of the foster care system and the Biblical mandate to care for vulnerable kids in foster care. Attendees also get a unique perspective through our panel of former foster youth, and hear first-hand stories from volunteers who have come alongside kids in the foster care system. We bring together 10-15 ministries and agencies that provide information about the many different ways to get involved (see some examples below).
Ambassador Trainings: (Currently paused) We train interested individuals to be "Foster Care Ambassadors" at our Ambassador Trainings. These individuals are given a deeper understanding of the foster care system through our interactive, expert-led program, and equipped to be a resource person for their congregations, offering information and guidance to anyone interested in foster care ministry.
Local Church Advocacy: The Coalition strives to serve the local church with her mandate to care for the fatherless in our community -- in this case, kids in the foster care system without a stable family. Since every church is different, we begin by discerning how God has uniquely shaped and equipped your church community to be a light to families in need. We have gifted speakers available for general training and awareness, to share with the congregation on a Sunday morning, in small groups, or to work with your leadership or ministry teams. We want to be a resource to your church however you feel we can best support you.
Info Fairs: (Currently paused) At our Foster Care Info Fairs, we provide an overview of the foster care system and the Biblical mandate to care for vulnerable kids in foster care. Attendees also get a unique perspective through our panel of former foster youth, and hear first-hand stories from volunteers who have come alongside kids in the foster care system. We bring together 10-15 ministries and agencies that provide information about the many different ways to get involved (see some examples below).
Ambassador Trainings: (Currently paused) We train interested individuals to be "Foster Care Ambassadors" at our Ambassador Trainings. These individuals are given a deeper understanding of the foster care system through our interactive, expert-led program, and equipped to be a resource person for their congregations, offering information and guidance to anyone interested in foster care ministry.
Examples of ways to come alongside a child in foster care:
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