Support

We understand that some families and individuals may be in a season in life where adoption or foster care is not an option, but feel called to be involved in the care of orphans in some other way.  The good news is that there are SO MANY ways to get involved in this ministry!!  If you have a heart for orphans but aren’t sure where to start, we encourage you to take a look at this list and pray that God will show you where he would have you serve.

Pray!!!!!

• Pray for orphans around the world.

• Pray for foster and adoptive families.

• Pray for those helping orphans in their local communities and overseas.

• Ask an orphan ministry how you can be praying.

Support Orphans Overseas

• Visit an orphanage and help care for orphans on a short-term missions trip.

• Sponsor an orphan and provide funds that will enable them to receive the care they need.

Host Overseas Orphans in Your Home

• Open your home to an orphan visiting the U.S. as part of an organized tour (please contact us if you are interested in serving in this way!)

Start an Orphan Care/Adoption Ministry or Adoption Fund at Your Church

According to The Dave Thomas Foundation, 48 percent of individuals who are thinking about adoption look to their church FIRST as a source of information and support.  Is your church able to provide support or funding for families trying to adopt?  Can your church family be a support network to foster family and youth in your community, or sponsor an orphanage overseas?  If your church does not already have an orphan care or adoption ministry, perhaps someone in your church family or leadership (maybe you!) is being called to form such a ministry! 

Lifesong for Orphans is a great resource for churches that are interested in starting an adoption fund.  Lifesong, as a ministry to adoptive families, sets up adoption fund accounts for churches and provides fund administration services at no cost.  Please visit Lifesong’s website for more information on how your church can easily set up its own adoption fund.

Other organizations that can help your church minister to orphans include:

• Hope for Orphans

• Church Orphans Ministry Alliances

• Show Hope

• Christian Alliance for Orphans

Provide Support to Adoptive and Foster Families

We encourage families and individuals to “adopt” adoptive and foster families and support them in whatever ways they might need.  The job of an adoptive or foster parent is often difficult and can be stressful.  These families need your support!  The following is only a small sample of the ways you can provide support to an adoptive or foster family:

• Join the Face to Face Network

• Provide backpacks and school supplies to foster children

• Provide monetary support to a family that is pursuing adoption or providing foster care.

• Babysit for a family

• Run errands for a family

• Carpool with a family

• Sponsor a shower for a foster or adoptive family that will be bringing a child into their home.

• Donate clothing, toys, or supplies to a foster or adoptive family

• Go through training that will enable you to provide respite care (weekend care or overnight babysitting) to a foster family.

• Cook meals for a family

• Ask how you can help!

Provide Support to Foster Youth

• Join the Community of Friends Network

• Become a mentor to a foster child or young adult who has aged out of the foster care system.

• Provide room and board to a young adult who has aged out of the system and is now working/attending college.