People who were already vulnerable before the outbreak will probably feel its effects hardest and longest. This includes families in the foster care system. The hardship will be especially difficult for Kinship families since many are on fixed incomes while caring for children. For those who wish to DONATE NEEDED ITEMS, Cultivating Families recommends contributing to the BEAR Room if you are in Houston and Harris County, or Rainbow Rooms if you are in outlying areas.
Urgent Current Need: Children Without Placement (CWOP), are currently with caseworkers in the CPS office. Pandemic or not, the greater Houston area has 3-12 children staying in CPS offices every day due to a shortage of foster homes for them. During this time, both the children and caseworkers, living in close quarters, are in need of face masks for their protection. CPS caseworkers, in this role, are considered first responders. Masks are in high demand for everyone. We need to make sure CPS first responders and children at risk receive some ASAP. Mask donations for this request, need to be delivered to our office, currently located at 14007 Ragus Lake Dr. Sugar Land, TX. (713) 542-8986.
Click a link below to see items needed in your local area.
Be sure to CALL AHEAD to confirm they can accept donations during this time. Also, verify days and times that they can accept donations.
We encourage you to order donations online and have them delivered directly to B.E.A.R. or the Rainbow Rooms. Again, be sure to CALL AHEAD to confirm they can accept deliveries and what days and times items may be delivered.
Be sure to CALL AHEAD to confirm they can accept donations during this time. Also, verify days and times that they can accept donations.
We encourage you to order donations online and have them delivered directly to B.E.A.R. or the Rainbow Rooms. Again, be sure to CALL AHEAD to confirm they can accept deliveries and what days and times items may be delivered.
Additional Seeds for Thought - After "stay at home" orders are lifted, you may consider taking a Babysitting Certification class. Volunteering this way may make a positive difference for some foster families to get back to work. Find out more information at Fostering Family - hello@fostering-family.org. Their next class is scheduled to begin June 6.
Always remember that donations to Cultivating Families enable us to continue equipping communities of faith to help children in foster care!
Always remember that donations to Cultivating Families enable us to continue equipping communities of faith to help children in foster care!
Watch this short video to learn more about
who we are and how we equip communities of faith
to care for children in foster care.
who we are and how we equip communities of faith
to care for children in foster care.
PRAYER INITIATIVE
Our goal is to cover each child in state care within the greater Houston area in prayer. Vertical Divider
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PARENTING
Resources for those parenting through adoption, foster care, or kinship care. Vertical Divider
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CONGREGATIONS
Congregations are uniquely positioned to make a difference in their community. |
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CHILDREN IN STATE CARE IN GREATER HOUSTON
The Greater Houston area has approximately 5,500 children who were removed from their homes due to unsafe conditions. Foster care is intended to serve as a temporary haven for children who cannot safely remain with their families. Often, their parents are battling poverty, substance abuse or mental illness, and have neglected their children’s needs. Many of these children have experienced physical or sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted adult. |
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CHILDREN LEGALLY FREE FOR ADOPTION
Of those 5,500 children in state care, about 1,500 are legally free for adoption – their family’s parental rights have been terminated and they are in need of a forever home. If foster children are not adopted, they “emancipate” and are left to navigate the world on their own. Over half of the foster children who were not adopted by 18 years of age are homeless, unemployed, incarcerated, pregnant, dead, victims of human trafficking, or involved in gangs. But, their story doesn’t have to end this way … |
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LOCAL CONGREGATIONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
If each of the approximately 4,000 faith-based organizations in our community encourages one family to adopt a child or sibling group, and that congregation surrounds the adoptive family with a support system of tangible love, resources, and guidance – every child will be cared for, every family will have a support system, congregations will be strengthened, and communities will be healthier and safer. What can your congregation do to make a difference? |
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WAYS YOUR CONGREGATION CAN GET INVOLVED
It’s not all or nothing. We don’t need all congregations to offer all possible Adoption and Foster Care activities. However, we can all do something, be it small or large, and we are all needed. Here are 7 ways a congregation can get involved immediately: Prayer Initiative, Supportive Care Groups, Adoption/Foster Care Awareness Event, Adoption/Foster Care Decisions Class, Empowered to Connect Parenting Class, Host Local Child Placing Agency Trainings or Special Events, and Prayer Shawl or Weighted Blanket program. |