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Have you felt the calling? This is the sign you have been waiting for.  Too many people believe that you have to be married to become a foster parent. That simply isn’t true… there are requirements to become a Foster Parent in every state. In Florida, here’s what you need to be eligible: 1. You are at least 21 years of age. 2. You can provide a safe, comfortable home. 3. Your home meets the minimum requirements. 4. Space for the child and his or her belongings. 5. Must be financially stable. 6. All members of your family are in good health. 7. Adults in home will submit a background check. 8. Being married is not required. 9. Your home must pass an environmental health check. Other misconceptions and questions we encounter include whether or not LGBTQ parents can foster or adopt. In the past, this was an obstacle to move through, but bills have passed that now allow everyone to foster and adopt. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to help guide you on this heart opening path.  This Is Foster CareA look into Fostering Hope's ongoing mission:
"In 2004, I founded Fostering Hope in response to the sad stories I heard from children who were separated from siblings in the foster care system. At the time I was working at a shelter, a place where kids in the system were sent when there was no foster home to accept them. Through Fostering Hope, we opened up 3 community-supported foster homes that were equipped to take larger sibling groups. My life's mission was focused on the big picture, but soon the cause came home. In my leadership role with Fostering Hope I attended a Heart Gallery event. At that event a 16-year old named Shane took the stage to tell people why he wanted a forever family. He explained he played football and he wished he had a family in the stands cheering for him. My heart broke. I was convicted. I had been talking the talk, but not walking the walk. I came home and told my husband Jerry about the call I was feeling to do more. He agreed we had more left to give as parents. Since that day our empty nest has become home to 16 teenagers. All of them are family to us, with 4 of the teenage boys joining our family legally through adoption. I wish more people would consider fostering/adopting teenagers. It's challenging, but rewarding. I always say the secret to success fostering teens is ONE at a time. There's a lot of overdue healing that needs to happen for kids who have been in foster care for a long time. Give a teenager that undivided attention and unconditional love and watch the magic." – Gloria West Lawson If you’re ready to open your heart and home to a child, call/text Gloria 727-688-5328. This is what our partnership with the community looks like:
Our annual strategic planning meetingJanuary 8th, members of the FHF board and supporters from the community got together for our annual Strategic Planning Meeting. It’s always exciting and intimidating to hear what’s going to be happening in the New Year, while also acknowledging how much work we have ahead of us to meet the needs of the many children in our local foster system. Our goal is for every child in foster care to enjoy a happy childhood, complete with opportunities to succeed. In order for changes to occur we believe it takes a village. While it may seem overwhelming at times, together, we can make big things happen for our kids. We will be sharing some of what’s going on in the upcoming months, and we hope you will find a way to use your talents and abilities to join our efforts. Thank you, for being a part of our “Village” we look forward to the positive changes that will take place in 2022! Join our Facebook Live drawing to win this tank! We are going to have a drawing for this cool riding tank on FB live on March 15th. Stop by our Kidz closets to enter. Or get tickets by making a donation of $11 on the Fostering Hope Florida website. Every donation of $11 is a chance to win. Please visit our Facebook page to watch the Live Stream and donate through the website, write FB Live Tank Drawing in the message of support section so we know you are entering. Do you have free time and want to help us? Fostering Hope’s fastest growing program is our Kidz Closet. We have 2 locations–one in Spring Hill, the other in New Port Richey. This resource helped over 4,500 people in 2021. If you have time and would like to help at one of our locations, we’d love to have you. Support us by shopping on Amazon Are you an Amazon shopper? If so, you can help Fostering Hope Florida by simply shopping. Nothing more is added to your price, just whatever you purchased but shopping through Amazon Smiles will help give a portion of your purchase price to our Nonprofit. Here’s how To get started with AmazonSmile, visit smile.amazon.com on your web browser and sign in with your Amazon.com credentials. Choose Fostering Hope Florida as your charity to receive donations, and start shopping! To join from the mobile app, open the app and find "Settings" in the main menu. Tap on "AmazonSmile" and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone. Thank you for being our village. Our work is only possible through your support. If you wish to help make a difference, click the button below. |
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