25 Sep 10 Simple Ways to Support Foster Families
Foster care and adoption are quickly becoming a part of who we are at Grace Church. As we grow in our understanding of the church’s biblical responsibility to care for orphans, we are seeing more and more of our families begin the process to become a part of foster care.
To bring a child into your home- showing hospitality, mercy, and grace- this is a living, breathing representation of God’s actions towards us. Many of our families, couples, and singles are in a season of life that allows them to make the adjustments necessary to become foster parents.
What about those of us who are not currently fostering? There is a role for us to fill as well. The sacrifices of being a part of foster care mean that these families need support. Foster care is not easy; it brings complications to the lives of foster parents. As we own the cause of foster care together as a church, we must find ways to lend our strength as individuals. Paul discusses this type of generosity within the church in 2 Corinthians:
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich…For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” [2 Corinthians 8:8-9, 13-15]
Wrap-Around Groups
Our desire is that every foster family at Grace Church has a Wrap-Around Group to support them. Here is a practical way that “your abundance may supply their need.”
A Wrap-Around community group commits to care for a foster family that is outside of their group. A member of the wrap around group connects with the family each week, and asks for prayer request before their group meeting. The group prays each meeting for this family, for the foster child, and for the foster child’s biological family. The Wrap-Around group also provides practical support for the foster family; this looks different for each family.
Simple ways to support foster families
{1} Pray
Prayer changes things. Pray for the foster family and the child they have taken in. Pray for the child’s biological family. Pray for the legal processes and the DSS workers on the case.
{2} Meals and baked goods
It can be something as simple as pizza and salad once a month, or perhaps organizing a meal calendar when a new foster child is welcomed into a home.
{3} Gift Cards
From coupon books to date night gift cards, every little bit makes a difference for a family who is adjusting themselves to a new budget.
{4} Babysitting
A simple background check is all that’s required to babysit foster children regularly.
{5} Notes of encouragement
Let them know you’re thinking about them.
{6} Help plan a special occasion event
Join the family in celebrating their foster child’s birthday and other important milestones.
{7} Services
Do you have a helpful skill set? Give to the family by providing haircuts, oil changes, or photography.
{8} Yard work
Take a little something off of their plate. Schedule your group to do yard work regularly or organize a group work day.
{9} Care packages
Help supply the basics- diapers, wipes, or school supplies.
{10} Carpool
Adding one or two children to your home can make a family schedule more hectic. Offer rides and carpool for the foster family.
Let us know if you and your group would like to become a Wrap-Around group.