This time of year, we hear a lot about helping children and families in need. Toy drives, donations, putting our change in the red Salvation Army bucket; all are geared towards helping during the holidays.
But what about after the holidays? As you put away the Christmas decorations are you also putting away your charitable spirit?
If you are feeling compelled to give and help those in need this holiday season, I encourage you to do so. But I’d like to also encourage you to think about how you can help after the holidays. Maybe you choose to invest your money or write your will in such a way that ongoing gifts are generated, or you may choose to commit to volunteer regularly at your favorite charity.
One way that we could use your help after the holidays is in the area of foster care.
Christian Foster Parents Needed
We need Christian couples and individuals willing to serve as foster parents in Montgomery, Elmore and Autauga counties. If we have enough interest we will hold a foster parent training class in the area in February.
As a foster parent, you have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in a child’s life, protecting, nurturing and restoring them through the love of Christ.
Mark* is one such example. As a child, he and his brother went to live with one of our foster families who lived just outside of Birmingham. Although scared, and a bit defensive at first, Mark began to grow and heal due to the one-on-one care his Christian foster family provided. This family nurtured Mark and his brother, teaching them about God’s love, missions and serving others. Mark has gone on to attain the rank of Eagle Scout and is a senior in high school, planning his college career. His dream is to one day serve others, possibly through the mission field.
Integral to Mark’s success is the foster family who took Mark and his brother in, and loved and cared for them as if he was their own.
But there are more children who need help. According to the 2011 National Kids Count Data Book, Alabama ranks 48th among the 50 states in the terms of the well-being of children. And Montgomery County ranks 56th out of Alabama’s 67 counties in terms of the well-being of children.
Montgomery County also has the fourth-largest number of children needing foster care among Alabama Counties, with 259 in care as of October 2011. Elmore County was 35th, with 32 children in foster care, and Autauga County was 37th, with 27 children in care.
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me.” As Christians, we have a spiritual obligation to do whatever we can to make sure these precious little ones have homes where they can thrive and hear about Christ’s love.
If you are interested in serving as a foster parent in Montgomery, Elmore or Autauga Counties, please contact Bobbi Olson at 334-430-7569 or bolson@abchome.org.
We are also always seeking foster parents who live in Alabama within a one-hour drive of our offices in Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Mobile and Oxford. If you are interested in serving in any of these areas, please call 1-8888-720-8805, or email lcude@abchome.org.
You can also find more information on our website, www.alabamachild.org.
*Name changed for privacy reasons.
Alabama Child 