Foster Friends+ is a ministry of Woodlands that supports families who are caring for children through foster care, foster-to-adopt, and kinship care. Kinship care includes relatives who have stepped in to raise children full-time, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and others who have opened their homes in times of need to children that are relatives.
Caring for children during hard times is deeply meaningful, but it can also be incredibly challenging and isolating. Many of these children have experienced significant trauma, and the weight of meeting their needs can lead to exhaustion and burnout. In fact, nearly 80% of foster families stop fostering within their first year. Yet we believe every child matters to God, and every family deserves to be supported as they step into this calling.
That’s where Foster Friends+ comes in. We build Care Communities, small teams from our church, who intentionally surround each foster family with consistent prayer, encouragement, and a weekly meals. These simple acts of care help families feel seen, supported, and strengthened to continue the important work they’ve been called to.
Care Communities
We are looking for people who would be willing to provide a meal or childcare one time per month to help alleviate a little of the burden foster families face. When their load is lightened they can focus more time on their children and marriage and can foster longer.
Here are some of the roles in the Care Communities:
- Family Partner– This position is relational and administrative as it involved talking to the foster family each week and reporting back to the Care Community. The Family Partner works to build a relationship with the foster family, ensure their needs are being met and give the Care Community ways they can be praying for the family throughout the week. The commitment for this role is about 1 hour per week.
- Family Helper – The Care Community blesses the family with a meal each week, on the night of the family’s choosing. Each family helper commits to bringing one meal each month. We provide the family helpers with information about food preferences, dislikes and allergies.
The Care Community seeks to match the gifts of the members with the needs of the family. Therefore, it can have endless possibilities but always seeks to support and encourage the foster family.
The commitment to serve in a Care Community is for 1 year.