Royal Family Kids NELA

08/08/2026

💜💜

Meet Armani and Avonte.

Fraternal twins, and about as different as they come in the very best way.

Armani is a whole experience. She is confident, expressive, and full of personality. She knows what she likes, how she feels, and she is not afraid to show it. She brings energy into a room. She is stylish, quick-witted, and has that spark that keeps everyone on their toes in the best way.

Armani will make you laugh, keep things interesting, and remind you that life is meant to be lived fully.

And then there is Avonte.

Steady. Thoughtful. Grounded. He is more reserved, observant, and incredibly intentional. Avonte is the kind of kid who is already thinking ahead, who values structure, and who takes pride in doing things well. He has a quiet confidence about him and a sense of direction that is rare, especially at this stage of life.

Together, they balance each other in a way that is honestly just special to witness.

They are in that in-between season of life where kids are beginning to figure out who they are, what they love, and where they’re going. It’s a tender, formative time, one that’s meant to be walked through with consistency, guidance, and people who are fully in.

One of the things that stands out most about Armani and Avonte is their connection to one another. Even with their differences, there is a shared bond there that deserves to be nurtured and protected in a permanent family.

Every time I spend time with them, I find myself wondering the same thing. Where is the family that gets to call them theirs? These two don’t need a perfect family. They need a present one. A family that can appreciate both the bold and the steady. The expressive and the thoughtful. A home that can hold space for who they are individually, while also honoring the bond they share.

This stage of life isn’t always easy. And walking through it without the stability of a forever family adds another layer that most of us will never fully understand. Finding a family at this point may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

We are expectant for what God has for Armani and Avonte. And we are believing there is a family who will see them, delight in them, and say yes.

If you’ve ever felt even a small tug toward older child adoption, this might be it.

For adoptions inquiries please visit:
https://form.jotform.com/261798577470070

08/06/2026

Also pray the the Lord will surround them with people who will point them to Him. 💜

08/05/2026

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Sometimes the kid you’re looking for… doesn’t look like what you expected.

Sometimes he’s the one who talks a lot.

Who asks a million questions.

Who gets completely fascinated by something, like rocks, and could sit there turning one over in his hands like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.

Meet Damien.

Damien is the kind of kid who will make you laugh without trying too hard. He loves jokes. Loves movies. Loves Mario Kart. Loves food. Honestly, it was easier to ask him what he doesn’t like to eat. Apparently beets… although he’s not totally sure because he hasn’t tried them yet, and he’s willing to give them a shot.

He’s curious. Engaged. Full of life.

And yes, he’s high energy.

The kind of energy that fills a room.

But here’s what you don’t see at first glance.

Damien is paying attention.

He notices more than people realize.

He adjusts.

He learns.

Today, he spent time around little ones, babies and toddlers, and he instinctively shifted. He was gentle. Careful. Appropriate. He even caught himself mid joke to say, “We can’t say that one around little kids.”

That’s not a child who doesn’t get it.

That’s a child who is learning how to navigate the world and doing a pretty remarkable job at it.

He is teachable.

And that matters more than people think.

Damien has been through more than he should have had to. Because of that, he may need more patience. More structure. More intentional parenting.

But he also gives more:

More laughter.

More personality.

More moments that make you stop and think, “Okay, that was actually really special.”

He needs someone who sees him.

Who doesn’t get overwhelmed by the energy, but leans in and helps guide it.

Who understands that progress matters more than perfection.

Who can say, “We’ve got you. We’re not going anywhere.”

There is a family out there who will get Damien.

A family who doesn’t need easy, they just need him.

If that might be you, or if you want to learn more, reach out.

Because he’s here.

He’s ready.

And he is so, so worth it.

For adoptions inquiries please visit:
https://form.jotform.com/261798577470070

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

07/29/2026

Unite -A Foster Care Ministry and their Welcome Home ministry put in a lot of the time, effort and HEART into creating this amazing Adoption Event for children in DCFS who are eligible for adoption! Potential adoptive parents were invited to be in the room with many children in Louisiana they could connect with and possibly become a forever family for.
There are TOO MANY children right in our communities who have NO family to call their own. You may even recognize a few faces if you have served at RFKNELA.

If you are interested in attending one of these adoption events with Unite Unite -A Foster Care Ministry, please reach out to them today!!

06/15/2026

One of the most beautiful things about Royal Family KIDS Camp is seeing churches come together around a common mission: loving and supporting children and families impacted by foster care.

Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." — Matthew 25:40

Every year, multiple churches and faith communities partner with RFKNELA through monthly and annual giving, and we are incredibly grateful for each one. Their generosity allows us to provide so much more than a week of camp—it helps create lasting reminders for children that they are valued, loved, and not forgotten.

Because of these donations, campers receive:
*MP3 players loaded with camp songs, skits, and Bible lessons to take home
*Duffel bags to safely carry their belongings Memory books filled with photos and memories from camp
*Camp t-shirts
*Water bottles
*Bibles
And so much more...
Every item represents a child who deserves to know they are precious, loved, and worthy of being celebrated.

The impact of RFKNELA is not the work of one church, one organization, or one group of volunteers. It is the result of many churches coming together to answer God's call to care for vulnerable children.

To every church (see list in pics below) that gives, prays, volunteers, and supports this ministry: thank you. Your partnership allows children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma to experience joy, belonging, safety, and the love of Christ.

We know we could not do what we do without you.

Together, we are planting seeds that will make an eternal impact—one child at a time.

06/01/2026

One of the most beautiful parts of Royal Family KIDS Camp for NELA is seeing our community come together to make sure every child feels loved, valued, and celebrated.

A heartfelt thank you to every individual, family, church, ministry, and organization that provided meals for our RFKNELA campers and volunteers this year. Your generosity helped create an environment where children could simply be kids, make memories, and experience the joy of a week designed just for them.

It is incredible to watch so many people from different churches, backgrounds, and communities unite around a common purpose—serving children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Every meal prepared, delivered, donated, or served was an act of love that helped make camp possible.

The impact of camp is not created by one person or one organization. It happens when an entire community works together, each person contributing their gifts and resources to provide an amazing experience for these children.

Thank you for investing in our campers, our volunteers, and the mission of RFKNELA. Your kindness, generosity, and servant hearts helped make this week unforgettable. 💜

*not everyone is pictured, sadly

05/31/2026

05/30/2026

A week at RFK NELA Camp is hard to explain unless you have lived it.

It is one of the few places where children who have experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, and foster care simply get to be children again. For one week, labels disappear. Court dates, case plans, trauma histories, and difficult realities fade into the background while laughter, friendship, safety, and joy take their place.

The week begins with excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. Campers arrive carrying more than just duffel bags. Many carry fear, uncertainty, guarded hearts, and questions they may never say out loud. But from the moment they step onto camp grounds, they are met with cheers, hugs, encouragement, and people who are genuinely excited they are there.

Every camper is paired with a dedicated adult Christian counselor who spends the week beside them—swimming, laughing, cheering during games, sitting beside them during meals, and having long talks with them when hard emotions surface. For many campers, it is the first time they have experienced consistent, safe attention from an adult with no expectations attached.

The days are full. Early mornings lead into crafts, water activities, games, sweet worship, music, skits, and team competitions that quickly become treasured memories. Campers race across to the gaga pit, scream with excitement during competitions (and sometimes cry) and often laugh until they can barely breathe during evening activities such as the Rodeo Round Up where we met a real- life cowboy, gun safety and target shooting with police officers, to Everybody's birthday where every camper gets their very own cake, gets sung happy birthday to and of course opens presents!

But the most meaningful moments are often the quiet ones.

It is the hurting child who slowly begins to trust enough to smile.
The camper who finally sleeps peacefully.
The ones who ask if camp can last for another week, month, forever?

RFK NELA Camp is not just entertainment. It is intentional restoration. Every activity, every interaction, and every conversation is designed to help children experience dignity, and belonging and to point them to Christ.

The week is emotionally exhausting and deeply beautiful all at once. Volunteers leave tired, sunburned, hoarse, and overwhelmed—but also profoundly changed. Because when you spend a week watching children rediscover joy, confidence, and hope, and an understanding of Jesus, it changes you too.

We had Bible study (Barn Bash) with "Jessie" where we learned all about Jesus as the Perfect Shepherd who loves and protects us and will never leave us.

They love daily nurture group (Cowboy Corner) where they learn how to identify their feelings and strategies to regulate them. They make engine plates, blow bubbles, make magic mustaches talk about feelings and much more.

By the final day, camp no longer feels like a group of strangers. It feels like family.

The goodbye is always the hardest part. There are tears, long hugs, hope to come back next year, and the quiet heartbreak of knowing some children are returning to very difficult circumstances. Yet even in the sadness, there is hope—because for one week they were seen, celebrated, protected, loved, prayed for and taught about Jesus.

And sometimes one week of genuine love and the Good News of the Gospel can plant seeds that last a lifetime.

That is a week at RFK NELA Camp.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day

05/07/2026

Since our Bible verse of camp this year is Psalm 23:1, we ask that you pray every day this month for our camp, volunteers, and the kiddos at 1:23PM. So set your alarms, and pray with us!🙏🏼🤍