FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS

By BOB SHILLINGSTAD

Special to The Press

On June 7 there was a luncheon at the Kroc Center sponsored by Focus on the Family and other organizations for the express purpose of engaging the communities and churches in Spokane and the Idaho Panhandle to raise awareness and recruit families for waiting kids who need a foster home or adoption. To date, there have been 37 of these “Wait No More” events held around the country and 3,696 families have started the process of being a foster family or an adoptive family. Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, reminded the group that the Bible reminds us 47 times to take care of the widows and orphans.

My wife, Jane, and I attended this event and were challenged in particular by a stirring presentation given by Sheren Ford, who is on staff at Focus on the Family. She retired after 30 years with the state of Colorado as manager of permanency services, leading the effort for foster care. Sheren has a unique background. I contacted Sheren and she graciously took time for a telephone interview and to encourage participation in an event on Sept. 22 at Spokane Valley Assembly from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Here is a portion of that interview:

Sheren, you gave a dramatic challenge to the group when you gave the numbers of children in Foster Care. Could you repeat that for our newspaper audience?

Bob, we have over 400,000 children and youth in foster care in our country, 100,000 of whom are legal orphans waiting for adoptive families to call their own. We have over 300,000 churches in the United States. One family from each church as a foster family and we have a place for every child! We have nearly 2,000 children in Idaho in foster care and several hundred churches in the Panhandle. We believe the church needs to step in and have the answer! We have had 4,782 churches already participate in the “Wait No More” campaign.

What exactly will take place at this event on the 22nd?

At the “Wait No More” event, attendees have the opportunity to hear different perspectives on foster care, adoption from foster care from adoptive parents, adopted youth, siblings and social workers. In addition, local agencies are on site to answer questions and help families take the next step in the process. Most importantly, families have the opportunity to start the process of foster care, adoption from foster care or supporting these families before they leave the event.

I am glad you mentioned other ways to be part of this because honestly at our age, we probably would not be prime candidates as foster parents. Although our “seniors group” at church has assisted foster families with clothes, gift cards and other assistance, what other ways can people come alongside to help?

Your examples of helping are good ones but also offering to babysit to give the parents a break, mentoring some of the older children and advising them on areas of life they would get from a mom or dad. At age 18, these young people are out of the “system” and on their own. Often times the children need funds for extracurricular activities or special needs or the ability to continue their education.

You have not given a number of how many foster parents are needed but having a large pool seems to be vitally important. Explain?

Obviously we need to have a home for every child but also enough homes available so that we don’t break up families — siblings remain together. We also want enough homes available that we can put the children back into their neighborhood school if possible and make their life the least disruptive. The stories of children waiting in an office while a caseworker calls over and over to find a home is heartbreaking.

I am reminded of Psalm 82:3-4 that says, “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless, maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy, deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” That is only one I am sure of many verses in the Bible that should convince all believers of their responsibility.

Bob, that is right. Our hope is that pastors at every church would take the leadership on this need and present this to the body and encourage participation in this event. This is not about politics, denominations or theology but it is about a need that the church cannot ignore. We would also covet the prayers of the church for this event and need.

Where can pastors and others get information about this event?

They can go on our website WaitNoMore.org/Spokane and promotional materials such as bulletin inserts, posters, etc. are available at https://ly/2J1q0eo and if you want printed copies of bulletin inserts or posters mailed to you free, send your request to: helen.parks@fotf.org

We want to make it easy to make this available to everyone.

Sheren, thank you for all you do in this area and our prayers for this event on September 22!