Foster Friendly Jax

10/24/2024

☀Thoughts for Thursday☀

When considering foster care, it's common to think about personal impacts—questions like, "How will this affect me?" or "How will it change my schedule?"

A better question to ask is: "Are you willing to go out of your comfort zone or face heartbreak, to step into a child's life in such a way that it breaks generational cycles?"

It's not easy—every meaningful pursuit comes with challenges. Yet, the reward of changing a life's trajectory, of bringing hope and a brighter future, is worth it.

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10/21/2024

Did anyone else ever feel like this as a foster parent? 🤣

The process to become a foster parent can seem like a lot, so we are beyond grateful for all those who continue to care for children in their communities!

10/21/2024

This will be an incredible opportunity to come out and support our local foster care community!

Visit fruitcove.com/hope-weekend for more information and to register!

10/18/2024

Many of us worry about how foster care might impact the children already in our home and how new dynamics could affect family relationships and routines. While these concerns are completely valid, welcoming a new child or siblings can also bring invaluable experiences and lessons. It teaches empathy, adaptability, and the importance of helping others. Plus, it fosters lasting friendships and bonds with children facing tough situations.

Patience and understanding from all family members are key, but with open communication and support, we can navigate these challenges together. Ultimately, fostering can be a rewarding journey that enriches everyone's lives in meaningful ways. 💕
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10/15/2024

We are so excited to be a part of this conversation!

Please join us to learn about how we can make communities Foster Friendly!

FosterCon™, an initiative by America’s Kids Belong, presents "Fostering Support: Could You Start A Foster Friendly Community?"—a free online webinar exploring how communities can support foster families. 💙

We’re excited to have an incredible lineup of speakers:

🗣️Britt Kelley, our Keynote Speaker: Foster Friendly Manager at Colorado Kids Belong and former foster youth. Britt will share insights into the foster friendly communities movement.

🗣️Evan Williamson, Panelist: Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A West Carmel. He actively supports foster families through his restaurant, offering discounts and serving on the tailwind team with Indiana Kids Belong.

🗣️Cayela Moody, Panelist: Cayela is a foster / adoptive military mother and wife. She is an advocate and resource for local foster families and partnered with Church of Eleven22 to seed a Foster Friendly Community in Jacksonsville, FL, where she and her family reside.

Join us for valuable insights on building a Foster Friendly Community!

Register now at FosterCon.org 🔗

10/11/2024

Join FosterCon, a webinar series for people exploring fostering and adoption.

09/30/2024

Know any foster families? 💕 We want to shower them with gratitude, love, and support! As a small way of saying thank you for the incredible difference they’re making, we’re offering 25% off all our services to foster families. 🙌

Fostering a child is an act of deep love and generosity, and we believe these families deserve to be especially cared for. From pregnancy and birth support to postpartum care, we’re here to serve and walk alongside them through every step. 💖

If you know a foster family, tag them below or share this post to help us show them our love and appreciation! 🌟

🙏 🙏

09/12/2024

I had reservations about entering the world of foster care as a family. I worried what my children might experience, fearing what they might encounter. Could this rob them of their childhood wonder? Will they become hardened by the harsh realities of life?

Then, it hit me:

How can we nurture children to become world changers without them first seeing that change needs to take place?

To fully experience hope, we must also endure hardship.

In reality, they've witnessed the struggles and, even more importantly, that overflowing love can exist in these situations. Their words have brought care and healing, and they've seen the power of grace in action.

Ultimately, our experience as a foster family revealed my naivety in thinking I should shield them from the world around us. Rather, my job is to equip them with empathy and compassion, molding them into strong and resilient individuals who are not afraid to see and confront the challenges facing our communities.

09/10/2024

Sometimes our families grow in ways we never imagined through foster care and adoption. It can be isolating and lonely, like we don't fit in anywhere.

So, when Coco's Mom couldn't remember how many children she had, I felt that. But even more, I love how she goes out of her way to pour into others. Her love and encouragement makes all the difference.

To all the foster mamas out there, tired and wondering if you have any more left to give —know this from one mama to another, "You are doing great." 💖

08/30/2024

08/16/2024

📢 Community Event Announcement 📢

In our community, children urgently need loving homes as their families work towards reunification, while others are in search of a permanent family through adoption. While, not everyone is called to foster or adopt, each of us has the power to make a difference.

Join us at the NOMORE Orphans Experience to discover all the ways you or your church can serve in our community. Connect with a vibrant network of organizations dedicated to prevention, foster care, adoption, advocacy, and more. Together, we can create change and support those in need! Don't miss out on this opportunity!

🌟 Event Highlights:

- Meet organizations making a difference
- Learn about ways you can support children in need
- Engage with community advocates

Come and discover how you can play a part in making a positive impact in the lives of children.

🗓️ Date: August 26th
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: The Church of Eleven22

Register to join us for this free event!

Join us to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of orphaned and at-risk children in the foster care system in Northeast Florida!

08/09/2024

What an incredible story of resillience!

From Foster Care 👉🏼 Olympics In Paris 2024 🇫🇷

“Born in Oklahoma, Kenny was placed in foster care after experiencing abuse and neglect. After months of moving in and out of foster homes, Kenny felt afraid for where he might end up. Thankfully, Mary met Kenny and adopted him at age 4.

Though Kenny had the stability of a permanent, loving family, as a child, he struggled with the impact of being in foster care. He had difficulty processing his emotions and trusting those around him. As a response to the experiences he had been through, he’d sometimes act out in anger or frustration.

“When I was in high school, I loved sports, but I also had a lot of feelings of insecurity and a lack of belonging,” recalled Kenny. “I always said I wanted to be an Olympian, but I think at the time, I wasn’t really thinking about what that required. I was just going through the motions.”

When Kenny discovered track and field, he unlocked a new part of himself. He finally had a way to channel his energy into a positive and productive outlet.

Despite being unable to enter an NCAA Outdoor track and field program for college, Kenny attended Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. He defied the odds and started breaking records while running track there, quickly going pro.

Kenny has earned silver medals at the World Athletics Championships and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Most recently, he qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.

In all of Kenny’s success to date, he credits his past with driving him forward.

“Every single previous version of me is still a part of me, including the trauma from my childhood. I own my past and my present,” said Kenny. “I am who I am, and I’ve achieved what I’ve achieved by buckling down and doing the really tough work — work on myself, working through emotional trauma and setbacks, and tough, hard work on the track.”

Kenny’s road to self-discovery was born out of a need for belonging. And today, he is continuously becoming his best self with his family by his side … every step of the way.

His message to those touched by foster care and adoption is one of hope.

“I want to inspire others and those who may have similar experiences and promote safety and stability for all children,” said Kenny”

Story from Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption