It will cost you something! He did it for you, will you do it for them?
This phrase was the last sentence written in a letter created by Jennifer Appleby that she gave to me and her pastor. It was a 5 page typed letter pouring out her heart for her passion…foster children.
Jennifer first felt called to fostercare while in high school after working at a Boy’s Ranch on a mission trip. Through the years this calling continued. After marrying her husband Steve, their long trips to Eastern Washington were filled with conversations about this calling. Finally, after talking with their pastor the advice came, “Why don’t you start with one and see how it goes”. If only everyone received that advice!
Since that time Steve and Jennifer have taken 29 foster children into their home. Not every child has been the most pleasant experience…and even Jennifer would say that it hasn’t been easy. In fact, she would say that it’s been very challenging. She would also say that taking in foster children has been the most rewarding ministry she’s ever been a part of!
We are so proud to have families like Steve and Jennifer Appleby. They have exemplified our vision here at YFC. They have reached out and supported the birth families of the children they’ve cared for….even, at times, at a monetary expense.
They also have a message! Even if you can’t have a foster child in your home….there’s plenty of other ways to get involved. As if Steve and Jennifer don’t have enough to do already….they just helped build a clothing bank at their church to support foster children and foster families licensed through YFC. Foster Exchange is located at Puget Sound Christian Center and is designed to help provide clothing and other resources to foster children. If you have items to share please contact Jennifer at fosterexchange@gmail.com.
You will be blessed to give……it will cost you something…..He did it for you…will you do it for them?
This week I was able to spend time with one of our families that have a true heart for foster care. Whether kids in their home are there for two days or two years, this family is dedicated to each and every child in their care and trust in what the Lord provides. I was encouraged to hear their story of a teenage girl who was placed into their home under receiving care; which is supposed to be only a 30 day placement. During the 30 days this teenager was with this family, she decided to make it her forever home. At the same time, the family decided they would continue to love this girl like she was their own and their house would be her home for however long she wanted to stay. In being faithful to God’s plan for them, the family changed their license in order to keep the teenager long term. While talking with the family about their experience, they brought up the verse James 1:27 which instructs Christians to, “look after orphans and widows in their distress”. It was inspiring to hear the family talk about their obligation as Christians to take care of the orphans, but even more incredible to see them take action!
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It is truly amazing how God works! Whenever He reveals his plan in people’s lives Jeremiah 29:11 always pops into my head, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” At a time where I was in a transitioning period I prayed that God would reveal His plan for me by closing certain doors and opening others. By letting go of what I thought my plan should be for my life, I was shown that His plan for me was much greater than I could have imagined.
I have always had a heart for children and desired to have a job working directly with them; particularly with children that have been abused and/or neglected. Before coming to YFC, I was in a position where I worked with foster children but often felt that something was missing. Then, God showed me that he had bigger plans for me and placed me at Tacoma YFC as a foster care case manager. Now, I not only get to do what I love everyday, I also get to fellowship with people who share my same excitement for the Lord! The staff at YFC is very supportive of each other and it is encouraging to pray with co-workers about anything and everything. Furthermore, our foster homes are full of parents who not only love the Lord, but love and care for every child that come into their homes. The foster care ministry at Tacoma YFC is definitely one of a kind and I feel blessed to be apart of it!
On Tuesday night, Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church hosted and facilited an interest meeting for families considering foster care here in Pierce County. With heart, passion, and vision, church leaders from Chapel Hill invited surrounding churches to encourage their members to consider getting involved in helping foster children in our local community. For a first time event, it was a great success. Approximately 25 interested families came to hear more about the need for foster families and foster/adopt families to take children into their homes that have been removed by Child Protective Services. Chapel Hill generously facilitated the evening inviting representatives from the Department of Social and Health Services and 5 private agencies including Youth for Christ. Linda Thomas, Area Manager for DSHS spoke of the need for more families and what the Department faces in trying to meet the placement need of hundreds of children in Pierce County. In addition, each of the private agencies shared information about their agency and the types of children that are served.
This is exactly the type of vision we love to see coming from the church. Recently, Youth for Christ was awarded a grant to provide a part-time person to begin connecting more closely with local churches in the area. Together, as a Christian community, we can make a huge difference in the lives of foster children.
Thank you to Chapel Hill for taking the initiative to sponsor such a great event. We look forward to many more events just like this. By Jeff Clare
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The 5th Annual Foster Care Banquet was a huge success. Aproximately 340 guests came to support the foster care ministry at University Place Presbyterian Church and hear keynote speaker, Pastor Robert Gelinas. Pastor Gelinas is the lead pastor from Colorado Community Church and founder of Project 1:27….a state-wide ministry helping to recruit, train, and support families willing to adopt children out of Colorado’s foster care system.
Also in attendance was Dr. Joel Odimba from the Department of Social and Health Services (King County Administrator) who shared about the incredible needs within the foster care system. Three different families shared their stories about how their lives have been changed by their involvment as foster and foster/adopt parents. It was a great evening and inspiring to all who attended.
YFC staff member, Cheryl Hollstrom handed out 12 packets for families wanting to start the licensing process. Currently, we have 22 families signed up for our next class in August.
Financially, we met our desired goal raising nearly $50,000! Thank you to all those who made this event such a great success. We are grateful to all our table hosts and table sponsors, as well as many individuals that helped to make this a wonderful evening.
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This week I was invited to attend a luncheon with special guest speaker, Doug Sauder. I was also sent Doug’s book, The One Factor, which describes the heart behind 4Kids, a ministry to foster children in the state of Florida. Although the luncheon isn’t scheduled until next week…..I’ve been able to get to know Doug through his book, and so far, it’s resonated with me. The stories told could be the same kids we work with here in Tacoma……just with different names. Their stories are haunting. What can we do to make a difference? Is it possible to change the system so that these children and families are helped more effectively?
The answer……is yes! Dougs solution….start with one. One is always the catalyst. One person can inspire another who inspires others. One vision can take a shotgun approach and focus it into a single shot. One passion, like a virus, can contagiously inspire those who come in contact with it. One Source makes it all happen. This power of one is not a product of chance.
So, can we make a difference in the system in Tacoma? In the lives of hundreds of Tacoma kids who are placed in the foster care system? Yes. And it’s happening today. One child at a time.
This year Tacoma YFC has placed over 170 foster children into christian homes. We currently have over 90 licensed families and have another 20 in the process. Twenty-seven children have been successfully returned home to their parents or another family member. Thirty-five children will be adopted this year by YFC families.
We look forward to celebrating what has happened this year through the “ones” at our upcoming Foster Care Banquet! I encourage you to jump on board. Make your life count. Be a “one” that can make a difference in the life of a child. Celebrate with us on Saturday, May 16th. For more information, contact me at the Tacoma Youth for Christ office at 572-7888. Jeff Clare
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On the second Tuesday of each month, many YFC foster families gather together for our monthly support group. A family style dinner is catered by Charlotte Lute. Families are able to come after a long day…..with no need to prepare anything! This hour is spent connecting families wtih each other. Dinner is loud, fun, messy and chaotic. But friendships are being enjoyed.
At 6pm, Diedre Baker and volunteers, provide childcare for the next hour and a half. For many children, this has become a highlight of their month. This is where our foster children make friends with each other….and learn that they aren’t the only ones going through this incredible journey. Often, it’s our foster children that encourage our families to come that night. It has become a place where someone understands them.
While their children are cared for, parents meet together for an uninterupted time together. Here is where families learn there are others that can relate to their story. Strong friendships are made. Stories are told. Funny, heartwarming stories…..and stories that make you cry. Parents laugh together, cry together, and pray together. It’s here where parents learn from each other. It’s a great thing.
I can’t imagine taking this journey of foster care alone. Over the years, our families have built meaningful friendships with each other. These friendships have often made the difference in “hanging in there” with a child…..or “going around again”. Hopefully, we can continue to connect families with each other……..to their benefit……..and to the benefit of the children.
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Every three months I attend a meeting together with leaders of the Department of Social and Health Services and local private foster care agencies. This meeting is used as a way to communicate policy and practice changes, improve collaboration between state and private partners, and share best practices among all the providers. It’s easy to leave a meeting like this without a clear reminder why it is that we’re in this work. Often budgets, policies, and ”issues” get the focus.
Yesterday, however, was different. It wasn’t that policies and budgets were not mentioned…………of course they were. It was the plea from a top DSHS administrator for private agencies to comb their list of foster families to find anyone that might be willing to take a teenage foster child into their home. I was struck by the urgency of the request. “Even if it’s just ONE family!”
My mind quickly went to the story of the man walking along the beach only to find it littered with thousands of dying starfish. He was walking along randomly picking up one starfish at a time and throwing it back into the ocean. Another man came by and asked what he was doing. “I’m throwing these starfish back into the ocean so they don’t die here on the beach,” the man replied. “But you can’t possibly save them all,” was his friend’s response. As he reached down to pick up another starfish, holding it in his hand he said, “I know, but I can save THIS ONE.”
This work is about “saving the one”. We currently have 85 foster children placed with Youth for Christ. Over the course of this year we will have placed over 150 children that have needed a home…some needing ”just” a temporary home. Does it really matter to each one? Of course, and that is why our staff do this work. To make a difference in the life of the “ONE”.
Would you be willing to open your home to a teenager? Even just one? If so, please give us a call. We’d love to help you find a way to make a difference.
Jeff
We’re excited to announce that Pastor Robert Gelinas has committed to return to Tacoma again this spring! Robert is the Lead Pastor of Colorodo Community Church and the founder of Project 1:27, a non-profit organization that exists to mobilize the Colorado churches to recruit Christian families to adopt legally free foster children. The vision of Project 1:27 is that there should be no waiting children for adoptive families in the state of Colorado!
Last year Tacoma YFC hosted a luncheon for 35 local pastors and Robert shared his story and gave a Biblical perspective on the churches role in caring for foster children in our own communities. He spoke specifically about the need for pastors to teach their congregations to open their hearts and homes to children in the foster care system. Robert also was the Keynote speaker at our annual fundraiser so we’re looking forward to having him return.
This year we will be highlighting a new ministry birthed from last years pastors luncheon. Orting Foursquare pastor Brad Grasley answered God’s call to start “A New Forever”. Pastor Grasley’s heart is to strategically connect Puget Sound area churches in a formal way with the purpose of recruiting and supporting foster and foster/adopt families. YFC has been working with Pastor Grasley to lay the groundwork for this exciting ministry. Together, we look forward to sharing this vision with pastors to begin the process of raising up families to meet the needs of foster children!
This years Fundraising Banquet is set for Saturday, May 16th at University Presbyterian Church. Please plan to attend and be a part of changing the landscape of Pierce County’s foster care system!
YFC foster families celebrated Christmas together on Tuesday night and had an incredible amount of fun! Over 250 people came together for dinner, crafts, a movie for kids, and a visit from “Gumdrops” and “Sprinkles”. What a great night!
Over the years, this has become a memorable night in the lives of our foster children and it’s easily seen on their faces. A delicious meal was catered by Charlotte Lute for the entire family. After dinner childcare coordinator, Diedre Baker, and her volunteers prepared Christmas crafts for kids and, of course a Veggie Tales movie kept the adults entertained!
The night was capped off by a surprise visit from YFC staff, Josh Van Wyhe and his wife, Kelly (aka Gumdrop and Sprinkles). It was fun to see the joy and excitement on the kids’ faces as they enjoyed their games, skits, and music. Over 170 children received a Christmas stocking filled with games, toys, and candy. It was truely a great night to celebrate Christmas by blessing children that have experienced so much turmoil in their short lives.
This night would not have been possible without the help of the following individuals and churches: Evangelical Reformed Church, Discovery Church, Trinity Church, Life Christian, University Place Presbyterian Church, Abundant Life Foursquare Church, Lauren Benson, Mike and Cheryl Hollstrom, Ken and Debbie Alford, and Stephanie Cochrane. Special thanks to YFC staff and foster parent, Becky and Jerry Rhodes, for coordinating the collection of nearly 200 Christmas Stockings!
Our staff feel blessed to work with such a great group of foster parents and children! There was no better place to be on Tuesday night then with these amazing families.
