Faith Partner Resources
WRAP Around
Not everyone is called to be a foster or adoptive parent but everyone is called to care!
WRAP is a tool that helps mobilize the people of the local church to reflect Jesus to adoptive and foster children and the families who care for them.
Next Steps Event
Faith Partner Resources
Our Community Relations Team is here to help your faith community better understand foster care needs in your community and then take action to help meet those needs. We have valuable tools and resources available for you to use, and we're happy to coach you along the way as you start or grow your foster care ministry. We offer a flexible framework that can be modified to meet you where you are and help you sustainably support and care for foster, kinship and adoptive families in your faith community or the community at large.
"It is irresponsible to recruit new foster families without
simultaneously recruiting support for those families”.
The first step in supporting foster, kinship and adoptive families within your faith community is knowing who they are! Do you research using our Foster/Kinship/Adoptive Parent Survey, and get to know families in your faith community who have or are available to welcome children into their home.
Belong SERVICE
Talk about foster care! One of the best ways to introduce your faith community to foster care and adoption in Tennessee is to host a Belong Service.
Whether you want to host a sermon, sermon-series or mini-engagement series during announcements, we can help provide messaging and resources from bulletin inserts and e-newsletters, to foster care statistics and engagement opportunities.
Next Steps Event
We can help your faith community host a "Next Steps" event that includes local child welfare staff, private providers, foster and adoptive parents, WRAP volunteers, and former foster youth to launch your faith community into action.
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WRAP Around
Not everyone is called to be a foster or adoptive parent but everyone is called to care!
WRAP is a tool that helps mobilize the people of the local faith community to support adoptive and foster children and the families who care for them.
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Safe ROOMS
When recently asked about their most pressing needs and how faith communities can help, the Department of Children's Services expressed the need for additional Safe Rooms in each DCS region. If your faith community is interested in learning more about how to partner with DCS in this way, please contact Marjahna Hart at marjahna.hart@tn.gov.
(Photos of Cross Point Church in Dickson's Safe Room)
Parents
Night Out
Parents Night Out (PNO) is an opportunity for churches to love their neighbors by providing a night out to foster and adoptive families. Church members enjoy the satisfaction of serving, the families receive much-needed respite and encouragement, and the kids experience fun activities and a sense of belonging. Use this detailed resource guide to plan and host a PNO for foster and adoptive parents in your community!
SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS
Use these images and corresponding text on your own social media accounts to raise awareness and promote engagement in foster care needs in your community!
Did you know that there are over 9,000 children in foster care in Tennessee and that _____ of those are in _______ County? Approximately 400 children in foster care in our state are waiting for adoptive families and a place to belong.
While the government has legal custody of children in foster care, people of faith are charged with caring for vulnerable children.
** Contact the Community Relations Coordinator in your area for the local number of children in foster care. **
"We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes." - Fred Rogers
Thank you to all of the foster families in our faith community! We see you and appreciate you opening your homes and hearts to children in need of a safe place to belong.
‘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
Calling all foster, kinship and adoptive parents! We want to get to know you and learn how our faith community can serve you as you welcome children into your home. Please complete this quick survey and tell us about your family.
Link to Foster/Kinship/Adoptive Parent Survey with instructions for submission.
Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can pray. Download this Prayer Guide for specific ways to pray for child welfare offices, social workers, foster families, birth families, children in foster care, children at risk of coming into foster care, and youth who have aged out of foster care.
Empower Business Leaders
Your faith community is full of business owners and leaders. All businesses and engagement in foster care are different which is why at TKB, we're committed to creating a partnership that is as unique and gifted as the different members of your faith community.
Become a FAITH Sponsor
Together as a congregation, small group, or even youth group, your faith community can become an advocate for children by helping us educate and engage others through your regular giving, one time gift, or fundraising event.
Video Resources
We have videos of children who are waiting for a forever family and multiple creative video resources to highlight Next Steps, WRAP, or to shine a light on the harsh realities of life without a family - life without belonging. Consider showing these to your faith community and/ or sharing them on social media.
