JCFA Care Packages & Foster/Adoption Family Support

11/10/2026

This week we bring you and update from a local « veteran« foster family who have been in the trenches for more than two decades. Here is a description of their crew.

Our family recently grew to include nine children, with a span in ages of 22 years. While we had closed our file and decided that the foster care era of our lives was complete a few years ago, Someone had other ideas, and here we are!

We are at the age and stage of life where most of our friends are enjoying leisurely retirements and visits with grandchildren. We are still juggling school schedules, appointments and extracurricular activities of a family with a wide range of physical and behavioral health needs, reminding ourselves that it’s better to wear out than rust out!

Beyond the obvious demands that come with raising kids, foster care brings a whole other parcel of requirements – never-ending paperwork, daily communications with county caseworkers, agency caseworkers, therapists. Make sure that your clearances are updated and submitted! Please send me a copy of your vehicle’s insurance card and registration! Did Johnny see the dentist this month? Please send me a report on the proper form! Can we come for a visit tomorrow at 2:00? Remember that your training hours are due at the end of the month! Can we reschedule Thursday’s therapy session?

Caring for children who have come from hard places is challenging. Caring for children who come from hard places while also navigating a broken system is sometimes overwhelming. It’s been said that foster families don’t quit because of the kids. They quit because of systemic burnout, administrative burden and a lack of institutional support.

The support and encouragement of those who understand the struggles of foster care and adoption is essential. Words of affirmation and grace in the struggles from those in our circles keep us going. And seeing the growth and success of the children we love assures us that we are exactly where we were meant to be.

Let’s pray for God to give this amazing family strength that is needed for each day and the ongoing demands. Let’s also pray that He would call more families to join in this amazing but often exhausting work of loving and caring for children from hard places.

11/04/2026

It’s no secret the seasons are changing. The fall foliage is nearing its peak and the days are cooler and shorter. If you find yourself sorting clothes to bring out the warmer attire; you can consider donating your gently used items to the foster closet. If you have donations please message us for an address to drop off your donation.

10/27/2026

Foster families often have very little information when they welcome a child into their home.
Often they receive a call for a child who needs placement and only have an age and gender.

Sometimes in the chaos of emergency removals things get mixed up and sometimes even the limited information you do receive turns out to be inaccurate. Often this is simply because very little information is available and it is difficult to know things that may be pertinent information for the foster family.

So unfortunately in some situations after saying yes to a placement it can become apparent that this might not be a great fit for this particular families situation or the child’s needs. This doesn’t mean anyone failed it just means not all family dynamics work with children’s various needs.

Some children do best as an only child or with lots of quiet time and structure. Other children may be active and need lots of activities to utilize their abundant energy. Sometimes medical issues, behavioral challenges and diagnosis only come to light after time in the home.

One of our local families find themselves in this circumstance. After spending some time in their home it seems that this may not work out with the needs of other children already in the home.

When this happens it’s difficult for all parties involved. Let’s pray that a family become available who can meet the long term needs of this child. Let’s pray for the child to feel loved and find belonging in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Let’s pray for the foster family who feels guilty about making a difficult choice that was necessary for long term sustainability.

10/22/2026

The Foster Closet is ready for another "Shopping Day" tomorrow, Oct 22!
We have kids clothes from NB to size 10/12, coats, jackets, shoes and other kid items.
Open to all Foster, Adoptive, Kinship or Safe families. Come out from 10-12 or 6-8. Message for address or with any questions!

10/19/2026

A local teen girl needs a permanent home. Let’s pray for God to call the perfectly imperfect family for her. Anyone who wants more information can contact Mercy Run Ministries.

Looking for recommendations for a foster family that works with teens that have a PO. They are doing well in school and have no current behavioral concerns. They are able to change schools, if needed. This young girl needs a chance and a loving home. Please comment below or feel free to message for more details. If you are unable to help or don’t know of anyone, please pray for this young teen and those helping her right now.

10/05/2026

This week we have another update on our foster family that has been waiting for weeks to bring their precious new foster son home from the hospital.

Unfortunately they are experiencing delays as a new rare diagnosis has been discovered. This diagnosis is lifelong and degenerative and will greatly impact his future.

He will need in home nursing staff and have future hospitalizations. While his future is uncertain what won’t change is their commitment to love and care for him as long as he needs a family.

The reality of that commitment is running to and from CHOP in Philadelphia. Unfortunately with the way things are set up as long as a foster child is hospitalized the supports that typically help cover expenses related to travel and hotel stays and time off work are not in place until he moves into their home. So this is an added financial burden.

If anyone feels called to help cover some of their out of pocket expenses feel free to message us for their Venmo account information. This foster mom stated she didn’t want anyone to feel obligated and their biggest need is prayer support.

Please join us in praying that their little fighter can come home this week and that they can begin to get services in place for him and adjust to a new normal.

09/29/2026

This experience is extremely traumatic for a child. It may also be the first time they experience safety when a foster home is found for them.

You have the opportunity to let them know someone cares for them when you support our care package ministry.

Little things can mean a lot especially during a difficult time. I am reminded of the quote “ Do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa Statistic and photo credit: Safe Families.

09/22/2026

Last week we told you all about a foster family taking in a precious baby from the NICU. This week we want to thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus and sending them diapers. This foster mom expressed appreciation!!

Their little fighter is still on a healing journey and they anticipate a few more weeks of running back and forth before he can move home. They are so anxious to bring him home!

Let’s pray for strength for this sweet baby boy and his family as hospital stays wear on the whole crew after awhile. Blessings to each one of you who gifted them needed supplies. If anyone wishes to gift a meal or a house cleaning for them or any other foster family feel free to reach out. 🫶🏻

09/14/2026

If you want to bless the foster family who just took placement of a little boy in addition to their five other children here is a list of needed items. 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/29Q4K3IN86N55?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwcGRvZgRleHRuA2FlbQExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzQzNzYyNjMxNjk3Mzc4OAABHk8uns_qoKh4hJvnNGzZseJ9QT0IbfI300fdjGLHX9dMSi9pbaPy7v4E4xLP_aem_xpiigg0otOvJoyBvziWzUw

09/14/2026

This week we are blessed to share that a local foster family has once again said yes to a precious little boy in need of a loving home. This sweet bundle of joy is spending some time in the NICU addressing medical needs before joining them in their home.

This will be the 6th little one under their roof and each child has experienced foster care. Some are adopted, some have special needs, some are half or full biological siblings. Some are not biologically related to anyone in the home. They lovingly care for each precious life they have been entrusted with protecting and nurturing.

This foster and adoptive mom expressed gratitude for the basket of goodies and the meals they received.

Let’s lift up their beautifully blended family as they adjust to another child joining their crew.

A child experiencing foster care is a heartbreaking situation but it can also be a beautiful thing when siblings are given the opportunity to stay together.

Let’s pray for this family as they learn a new rythem and routine.

Let’s pray for healing for this precious little boy.

Let’s pray for the little children in their home who are waiting on the courts to decide what their future may look like.

Pray that everything would be done in God’s perfect timing and for patience for them as they await decisions.

Let’s also pray for this child’s family of origin during this difficult time. Pray that any supports needed would be utilized and that a good working relationship could grow between the foster and biological families.

Let’s pray for God to give them grace and strength as they meet the needs of their growing family. If you would like to bless this family with a meal or to be an ongoing prayer support feel free to reach out.

Each child in foster care is a child God loves and cares for; each family stepping into the brokenness and loving a child in the system needs encouragement and support!!