Agape Villages

Author: Agape Villages

  • Helping A Little Girl Who Is Hurting

    Helping A Little Girl Who Is Hurting

    Grace, a 6 year old girl, has had a difficult life so far. Prior to coming to Agape Villages, she was in foster care and subsequently reunified with her mother early last year.

    Unfortunately, her mother continued struggling with a substance abuse problem and was unable to follow the safety plan required for caring for Grace. Her father was out of the home and was a registered sex offender.

    Grace was then placed in foster care with Agape Villages with one of our single parent resource families. At first, Grace was very quiet, cried a lot (especially to see her mother), and would eat very little. Agape Social Worker, Courtney McAlister, was able to arrange counseling ser- vices for Grace to help with her adjustments. We are pleased to report that after several months, Grace is doing much better. She is happy, loves her foster mother whom she calls “Grandma,” and is gaining weight.

    We continue to work with the referring County Department of Social Services as efforts are made to work out a permanency plan for Grace.

  • 14th Annual Fairways Fore Foster Kids

    14th Annual Fairways Fore Foster Kids

    Golfing, Games, BBQ, Prizes, Raffle, Auction, Driving Range & Dinner at Chez Shari! Join us for a whole day’s events! The 14th Annual Fairways Fore Foster Kids Golf Tournament will be on October 26, 11am at Manteca Golf Course.

    Do you want to show off your putting game? Can you drive the ball long? Are you accurate? Show off your skills for a chance at prizes, including a brand new car from American Chevrolet with a hole in one.

    If you’re not much of a golfer, you can still help us with this event. Contact Us at the Manteca office if you want to provide items for the Raffle and Auction. Or if your business would like to sponsor us, you can sign up to do so here.

    We put on events like this so we can benefit the kids in foster care that our agency helps. We look forward to seeing you October 26!

  • An Eagle Scout Project For Our Carnival

    An Eagle Scout Project For Our Carnival

    Last year we put on our first Carnival in San Leandro. It was so much fun for all those that attended that we wanted to do it again this year. Our 2nd Annual Carnival in San Leandro on September 22 will feature food, games, rides, a photo booth and so much more! This year we were so fortunate to have an eagle scout, Jeston Bond, offer their services to build some games for us as their eagle scout project.

    Jeston spent 200 hours and his own money to build some amazing quality games, including plinko, mini golf, and cornhole. These games required planning and multiple steps to create. He built the games from raw wood, cutting, sanding, painting and applying the lettering. Over the months he invested into these games, he had to work through rain and heat going up to 108 degrees.

    We’re looking forward to a great Carnival in September, thank you Jeston for all your hard work and time!

  • A Tale of Two Boys—Family Secured

    A Tale of Two Boys—Family Secured

    An all-too-typical story. 2 teen brothers. Biological mom on drugs. Biological dad in prison. The boys moved between family members, city to city. Not going to school. Finally CPS was called.

    The boys were in several foster homes and then came to one of Agape’s wonderful foster homes. It took a little while, but the boys are doing well in school. They are involved in sports. They have part-time jobs. They are typical kids. Their foster mom is now their legal guardian.

    The boys have found their family. Agape foster mom says, “Agape Social Worker Courtney McAlister has been an excellent social worker. So supportive. The children’s attorney has been very good also. Courtney made the difference. I am very pleased with Agape.”

  • Backpack Donations to Davis Street

    Backpack Donations to Davis Street

    When we have donations beyond what we can give out, we work with other organizations in the community to make sure the items are given to people in need.

    We just donated a few unused back packs and duffel bags to Davis Street, an organization with a great mission. They help people with low income in the Eden area and surrounding communities to improve their quality of life.

    Here are two of our staff members, Mara and Eddie, with Daniel Johnson, the Operations Director, as the donations are being handed over.

  • Agape Receives CARF Accreditation!

    Agape Receives CARF Accreditation!

    We did it! After over a year of pursuing our national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF), we received our approval letter on May 9th confirming we received our accreditation for the maximum period allowed, three years.

    We worked hard to get all of our policies and practices in compliance with over 2,000 CARF standards. It was a challenging task with staff agency-wide participating in the project. Many thanks to our key leadership staff, Janet Kleyn and Cheryl Youngblood, for guiding the agency through this process and to Doug Mead, our pro-bono consultant for this endeavor.

    Zen Gee and Barbara Dorsett, CARF representatives, met with us on April 4-6. They spoke very highly about Agape at their exit meeting. They made comments such as the following. “We don’t often see first year applicant agencies doing this well with the CARF process. You are way ahead of the game as a first-time agency. You are truly a pillar in your community. We commend all of you in this process and it is evident you definitely made a commitment to CARF.”

    We must continue to comply with their standards as we will be reviewed every three years for ongoing compliance and re-certification. Agape Villages’ President, Janet Kleyn, states: “Achieving accreditation was long and hard, but we have a great sense of pride in knowing we comply with best practice standards in our industry. The children in our care deserve no less.”

    We received a letter from CARF’s President/CEO, Brian Boon, Ph.D., who said the following:

    “It is my pleasure to inform you that Agape Villages Foster Family Agency has been issued CARF accreditation based on its recent survey. This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served.”

    We are thrilled to reach this milestone! We hope this “seal of approval” also strengthens our already good reputation and relationship with external stakeholders and the communities in which we operate!

  • Printed Newsletter – July 2018

    Printed Newsletter – July 2018

    Please read the Agape Villages July Newsletter, “The Love Letter,” to learn more about all of the people and programs that are changing the lives of foster children each day!

  • 8th Annual Foster Care Picnic

    8th Annual Foster Care Picnic

    We had our 8th annual picnic for our families and youth in June this year. We had our typical play activities, games, music, food and added a photo booth, face painting and a henna tattoo booth. We welcomed back Reptile Ron and his interesting creatures. His traveling reptile show was exciting and educational for everyone. We appreciate all the families, staff, GK Music, the volunteers, and everyone who participated in making the picnic a magical day for all.

    Our picnic is the perfect opportunity for our kids and non-minor dependents (those over 18 years of age in care) to have some good old fashioned fun. It is also a time for our foster parents to visit with other foster parents and make new friends.

  • Offering 2nd Chances & Never Giving Up!

    Offering 2nd Chances & Never Giving Up!

    From disappointment, discouragement, obstinacy and failure, to perseverance, change and the hope that comes with a second chance. For “David” (name was changed), it was a
    two year journey. Here is part of his story.

    David came to Agape Villages when he was 11 years of age as a result of enduring a long history of mistreatment from his family of origin. What finally triggered his entrance into the foster care system was his father getting caught locking him in a closet for an extended period of time.

    For David, he wasn’t totally “blame free.” He reacted to his parents treatment with anger and belligerence. His behavior and attitudes continued on display at his foster homes. Yes, he had more than one placement. In fact, he failed his way through four different foster homes until he was placed in a therapeutic group home program. He was a challenging young man to serve.

    The last foster home really tried, but finally surrendered to his resistance to work on things in his life. However, they never gave up hope and maintained a relationship with David while he was in the therapeutic group setting.

    After completing the program 2 years later, he was placed back with this Agape foster family. He told Agape Outreach Social Worker, Dave Roach, that one thing he learned was people like his foster parents are what unconditional love is all about.

    David is now 17 years of age and in the 12th grade. He has been described by his foster parents as having gone through a complete turnaround. He is respectful now, funny, and enjoys his family. He says “I have a loving family I can call my own.”

    David’s happiness is evident by the facial expressions of love and contentment he has in addition to his cooperative behavior. He enjoys sports and everything related to physical activity. He is now on the honor roll at school and his teachers say that he is a role model for other children to follow. Yes, hope can be found in giving second chances and never giving up! We appreciate all those who help us serve youth like David!

  • Printed Newsletter – February 2018

    Printed Newsletter – February 2018

    Please read the Agape Villages February Newsletter, “The Love Letter,” to learn more about all of the people and programs that are changing the lives of foster children each day!