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 Agapeâs 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, âAgape Social Worker Courtney McAlister has been an excellent social worker. So supportive. The childrenâs attorney has been very good also. Courtney made the difference. I am very pleased with Agape.â
Third John is a small book. In fact, it is the shortest book in the New Testament. As I was reading through this small book recently I read the apostle Johnâs comments concerning those who were working and supporting the work in the early church. In verse eight, John wrote, âTherefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.â John reminds Gaius of the responsibility that Christians have in helping the work in the kingdom. He says it is something âwe oughtâ to do. This verse speaks of an obligation to the kingdomâs work.
Another interesting observation from that verse is that when we support the work of the kingdom, we become âfellow workersâ with others who are working. This same word is used thirteen times in the New Testament. An interesting use of the word is found in 1 Thessalonians 3:2 which reads, âand we sent Timothy, our brother and Godâs co-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith.â The word is used here to describe Timothy as a âco- workerâ of God. When Timothy was a worker in the kingdom, not only was he a âfellow workerâ with Paul, but he was âGodâs co-worker.â
As I consider 3 John 8, and 1 Thessalonians 3:2, I am reminded of why it is such a blessing to support Agape Villages. When we support a work in the kingdom such as this, we are: 1) fellow workers with other Christians, and 2) co-workers with God! What an amazing thought that I can be a co-worker with God. What an honor it surely is for each of us to be able to say that we are working alongside God in His kingdom, for His glory. Amen!
From disappointment, discouragement, obstinacy and failure, to perseverance, change and the hope that comes with a second chance. For âDavidâ (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 wasnât totally âblame free.â 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 âI have a loving family I can call my own.â
Davidâs 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!
In the book of John, chapter 20, verses 18- 24, we read where Jesus appeared to the apostles after his crucifixion. One can only imagine the excitement the apostles felt. However, Thomas was not present.
One might think that Thomas would be filled with joy at the news at what the other apostles saw. However, he did NOT believe them. He said, “unless I see in his hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.â (verse 25)
One week later, when Jesus appeared, He invited Thomas to âReach here with your finger and see my hands.” Thomas was convinced and proclaimed Jesus as HIS LORD AND HIS GOD.
Part of what this story reveals is that having a personal experience can be helpful in understanding the reality of a situation. This can relate to the work we do at Agape Villages. We can ask, âWhat is it that would help more people to understand the importance of the work we do and join with us?â We would probably all agree that we become more passionate when something is personal.
This is probably one reason why Jesus gave us what we call the âGolden Rule.â He said in Matthew 7:12, âSo in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.â This makes things personal, doesnât it?
Applying this to the children and families we serve at Agape, consider if you were one of them. What if you were a child who was in need of a home? How would you want others to help you?
We so appreciate all of you who believe in what we are doing in caring for the children that cannot care for themselves. Your prayers, your volunteering, your financial support makes our job here at Agape Villages possible. WE NEED ALL OF YOU serving side-by-side for the GOOD that can be accomplished. May God be glorified!
I was working our fireworks stand one afternoon when a young couple approached the stand. I greeted them and told them that the money we raised went to help foster children. The man said, âI was a foster child once!â So I asked him to tell me his story. I was hoping for a positive one. IT WASNâT!
The home he was placed in treated the children badly. He said the only time they treated the children nicely was when the social worker was there. The social worker never asked the children how they were doing (so he said).
In that home, the children were locked in their rooms much of the time. Before the social worker came, they would call and let the home know they were on the way. So the children were let out of their rooms. I told him I was sorry that he was treated so badly. In reality, a CPS investigation should have occurred at the home and possible charges filed.
Unfortunately, there are times when we hear these kind of horror stories and it breaks our hearts. These few stories perpetuate the view some people have that ALL foster homes are like that one. It often coincides with the idea that foster parents are only in this for the money.
However, this is not the case. In fact, it is the farthest from the truth for the vast majority of situations. Foster care at Agape Villages, and at most all private agencies, is a sincere mission of love and service. We engage to make life better for the children and youth. Our foster parents do this work as angels of mercy and work closely with us at all times. Part of this does include unannounced visits by our social workers.
We want to be the agency that you are proud to be part of. We want to please God with the care we give to His children.
The Board of Directors at Agape Villages is made up of a group of diverse individuals who come from a variety of vocational backgrounds. This brings many perspectives to the board as we discuss and make decisions in governing the work of the agency.
Many may know, but I have been a pulpit minister in the Churches of Christ for 46 years now. This explains why I like to write articles for our newsletter which tie into the Christian motivation for our work. This work is, indeed, close to the heart of God. Scriptures speak much about our hearts also! We are challenged to do this work from the heart.
The Apostle Peter in 1 Peter writes to those who are the people of God and encourages His people to see how special they are…a royal priesthood …people belonging to God who have been âcalled outâ of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). We need to see and understand who we are so we can be who we need to be!
The Apostle Paul wants us to see that we are Godâs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10). We see this so we can be about good works!
We continually encourage you to see the opportunities for service through Agape Villages. We are about caring for the children and youth in need of loving foster homes. We keep them safe, meet their needs and help them reach toward a better and brighter future. We help them see how God loves them and cares for them also.
Hereâs an important question. âIf the âcalled-outâ donât step up and out to do good, who will?â I believe God wants His people to lead the way in being there to serve children. We are encouraged to do good to all people as we have the opportunity (Galatians 6:10).
Agape Villages is looking for good people with good hearts to take advantage of the opportunities to serve children who need our help. Let us see what we can be!
A child welfare expert recently commented on some of the problems and challenges in the foster care system, including children moving from home-to-home and the difficulty obtaining counseling for children and youth. He framed it personally when he said, âI look at the overall situation and think none of us would sit still for a minute if this was our child, when in fact, these are ALL our children.â
Yes, children in state custody foster care are, in a very real sense, all âourâ children…our responsibility. This highlights one of the biggest challenges we have to overcome. It relates to the following idiom, âIf itâs everyoneâs responsibility, then itâs no oneâs responsibility.âThis is mostly true. Why? When itâs also someone elseâs responsibility, we let them handle it. If everyone responds this way, no one takes charge.
The antidote to this tendency is for us to be full of compassion. Have you heard that admonition before? Scriptures relate to this often as well as provide other similar encouragements, i.e. be kind, be merciful, be gracious and tenderhearted. What do these have in common? They call upon us to take the concern of those in need personally and get engaged in helping.
Weâve been beating this drum for nearly 60 years now as we continue our outreach to vulnerable children and youth. We are grateful for how so many have joined with us over the years. Even so, there is so much more to do, so many more children and youth in need of homes. We must respond and do more! This is what we are trying to do! Please continue to partner with us as, together, we continue to do something very special for âourâ children!
When Ms. Kleyn asked me to write an article regarding children, foster care, etc., I first was inclined to decline saying I was too busy and/or had too many important things to do. Now, I am very glad I accepted.
When you look at the word orphan, we see âa child whose parents are dead or has been abandoned.â If we broaden the definition, we will see neglected or abused children. What are the reasons orphans, adoptions and foster care are not on many peopleâs radar? I believe, like me, many are too busy to think of helping someone else. We may think of our own children and the investment, time and energy we have put into them. Are we happy with the return? We may remember church members and youth groups, the time, money, energies spent, and looking back we may be wondering, was it worth it?
I would like you to look at these disenfranchised children differently. To see ourselves in these often poor, neglected, lost, abused children. Was there a time when we were without God, lost, poor (economically, spiritually, emotionally, etc.) and someone loved us, showed genuine care for us, spent time with us, picked us up, directed us until we were able to get up on our feet? Looking back, we see Godâs hand every step of the way. Letâs all remember today that someone helped us so we can help others. The question at the table for the ones that have been helped is, was it worth it for you?
SoâŠyouâre thinking of becoming a foster parent? Youâve realized itâs time to do something with all that love in your heart, but youâd like some more info on how to get started? Youâre in luck! I wrote this post to fill you (yes youâthe one reading this right now) in on the basics!
Let me start with the 2 most popular questions. 1. How old do I have to be? 2. Do I have to be married? Whether youâre living the single life or youâre someoneâs other half, you can be a foster parent. Unlike Facebook, weâre not too concerned with your relationship status. As for the age requirement, you only need to have reached your 18th birthday. Whether that happened this last birthday or quite a few birthdays ago is of no consequence: thereâs no age limit on loving and caring for a child.
In addition to being at least 18, you must hold a valid California driverâs license to start the process of becoming a foster parent. Ask any parentâif you have kids, youâll be driving! You donât need to own your own home (another popular question), but you do need to have enough income to support your household. The foster family reimbursement (yes, foster families do receive financial assistance for the children placed in their care) wonât be taken into consideration when making this calculation. So at least one adult must be employed or have some other sufficient source of income.
Confident that youâve met those requirements? Give us a call! 1-800-566-2225. No, seriously. Thatâs how you start the process. Weâll do a phone interview and then have you complete the application packet(s). After that, an Agape rep will perform the initial home inspection and youâll provide us with copies of a variety of documents. You (and anyone in your house whoâs 18 or older) will need to be fingerprinted. Youâll also need a health screening and TB test. To prepare you for your new role as a foster parent, Agape Program Director Cheryl Youngblood will guide you through the Agape Pre-Service Training (formerly âPRIDEâ). Youâll need your CPR/First Aid certification and, if you have a body of water on your property, youâll need to complete a water certification course (Agape offers one free of charge). Finally (whew!), an Agape social worker will conduct a home inspection and interview. Thatâs the short and sweet version, anyway. This is a basic overview of the process (which averages 6-10 weeks), not a step-by-step guide. Donât be alarmed/surprised/dismayed when thereâs more to the process than what Iâve got here!
Still reading? Good. I saved the most important requirement for last. To be an Agape foster parent, you MUST have a heart for kids. Itâs a beautiful and wonderful thing to open your home to a childâbless you for being willing to do it. But bless you a hundred timesâŠbless you a thousand timesâŠbless you for eternity for being ready and willing to open your heart to kids who may never have known what it is to be safe and loved. Or who havenât known it in so long that theyâve forgotten what it feels like. Bless you for having that heart and for actually using it. We need it. We need you.
Meet Tommy, he is 16 years old. Both of Tommyâs parents died approximately one year apart. Tommy was only 10 years old. Devastated and grief-stricken, Tommy moved into the home of relatives. The living arrangement was disastrous… Tommy came to Agape and began his journey in foster care. When Tommy came to Agape he was emotionally paralyzed and reclusive. He did not talk. He did not make eye contact. He threw violent tantrums. Tommyâs refuge from his pain was to hide in a closet. Thanks to you, ALL of that has changed!
For nearly 60 years Agape has devoted its resources to serving abused, neglected and abandoned children by providing safe, nurturing environments. For decades Agape has been a lifeline to children and families that were in despair, and weâve remained steadfast in our goal to provide an opportunity to heal and grow through development of cutting edge programs and activities. Your continued support has enabled us to expand our programs, serve more children and impact countless lives.
Double Your Impact
We are so grateful for your support and weâd like to tell you about a unique opportunity. Thanks to the generosity of a Matching Grant Challenge by an anonymous donor, when you donate between today and December 31, your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar up to $25,000. Thatâs right – you can double your donation to support the life-changing services Agape provides to children and families.
Think about that….think about how you can transform the life of a child or teen that has been caught in the grips of a painful and traumatic situation that is beyond their control. Every child does need a family, however that family must be one that cares for, and nurtures the childâs mind, body and soul. That is what we do at Agape.
Children and families rely on Agape to be a beacon of light; we rely on your partnership and commitment to fulfill our mission and vision. There are two ways to make your donation:Â (1) Donate online, (2) Send a check or credit card payment by mail.
The Rest Of The Story…
As for Tommy, with the devotion of Tommyâs foster parents Larry and Jean, the dedication of Agape Villages Social Workers, the grace of God and Tommyâs personal resilience and unwavering determination, today, Tommy exemplifies success. He is currently a Junior in high school and is enrolled in a specialized program that combines the curriculums of high school with junior college – when Tommy graduates from high school heâll receive both a diploma and an AA degree! Tommyâs in the process of obtaining his driverâs license, and by participating in various Agape Villagesâ Independent Living Skills Programs, Tommy in on the path to self-sufficiency and a fulfilling, joyful life. In heart, mind and spirit, Tommy is truly a member of Larry and Jeanâs family. Affectionately known as âUncle Tommyâ to Larry and Jeanâs grandchildren, Tommy has found his family, and we all know, family is forever – we look forward to your continued partnership.
