Become a Foster Adoption Friendly Church

WHAT IS A FOSTER ADOPTION
FRIENDLY CHURCH?

Christians are called to care for the orphaned, children who need the protection and provision of a family. In our own neighborhoods, there are kids in foster care who need us to provide safety and stability in the midst of a family crisis.

A CHURCH WHERE...

Caring for vulnerable children is part of the church culture
Everyone in the congregation is consistently reminded to care for vulnerable children
Foster, kinship and adoptive families find encouragement and practical support
Children who have experienced trauma, grief and loss can grow into the people God designed them to be

HOW CAN PROJECT 1.27 HELP...

Provide information about foster care, kinship and adoption
Support development of a foster, kinship and adoption ministry
Offer foster, kinship, adoption friendly church designation so your church can be easily identified by those families
Offer biblically based, state approved certification training
Provide ongoing support and encouragement to ministry leaders and families

STEP IN...

Become a Foster Adoption Friendly Church

HAVE CHURCH LEADERSHIP APPROVAL
Share your ministry idea with your church leadership and obtain pastoral approval

IDENTIFY CHURCH CHAMPION
Your Church Champion will coordinate opportunities for learning about foster care and adoption, initiate and develop ministry goals and action plan, as well as serve as a liaison between the church and Project 1.27.

CHOOSE AN INSPIRATIONAL STEP-IN PROJECT

Schedule a sermon or small group study on James 1:27, coordinate a video, discussion or podcast night; share stories of foster care and adoption, provide space for an informational table, donate new car seats and booster seats to children in foster care ( contact your county Department of Human Services)
Download the Project 1.27 resource for other ideas
Listen to Pastor Robert Gelinas' podcast on foster care and adoption

DEVELOP A MINISTRY TEAM AND PLAN
Recruit a team, determine who will be your outreach and contact person, develop goals and a plan of action

RECEIVE YOUR FOSTER ADOPTION FRIENDLY BADGE
Proudly display your Foster Adoption Friendly Badge on your Church Website, your Facebook page or other social media with a link to Project 1.27. Project 1.27 will display your Badge and name on our website with a link to your Foster Adoption Friendly Church. It’s important for families to be able to locate a Foster Adoption Friendly Church, somewhere they’ll feel welcome and the needs of their children will be met.

LEARN MORE

STEP UP...

Be a Foster Adoption Friendly Church

INSPIRE ENGAGEMENT
By presenting Inspirational opportunities such as the Foster Experience, videos, sermons, special speakers, family stories and promoting Project 1.27 Info Nights and events.

RECRUIT FAMILIES
By hosting Info Nights and providing training space.

SUPPORT FAMILIES
Identifying foster, kinship, adoptive families within church. Connect families to a support network; support team training, support group, mentor. Connect families to practical support (link) ie, prayer for families identified, meals, transportation and small groups. Adding a foster/kinship/adoptive link to your website.

PROVIDE A TRAUMA INFORMED CHURCH ENVIRONMENT
Hold trauma informed staff training (4 hour class) and provide trauma informed volunteers

Nationally recognized months that focus on foster care and adoption. This is a great time to present foster care and adoption to the congregation.

January - Sanctity of Life Sunday
March - National Social Work Month
April - Child Abuse Prevention Month
May - National Foster Care Month
November - National Adoption Month, Stand Sunday, Orphan Sunday

LEARN MORE

STEP BEYOND...

Go the extra mile with foster and adoptive families

Hold a foster and adoption fair

Provide trauma informed staff

Organize a kids night out

Launch a wraparound care team

Provide 'buddies' for trauma exposed children during church services

Provide mentors and coaches

Organize a food pantry

Organize a clothes closet

Plan and develop a sensory room

LEARN MORE

RESOURCES

Here are some recommended resources that will guide you in tackling the real issue of creating a safe space for foster and adoptive families.

VIEW RESOURCES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We know that the world of foster care comes with a lot of questions, so we tried to answer the most common ones for you.

READ OUR FAQS

GIVING AS A CHURCH

Financial support provides the resources Project 1.27 needs to continue engaging the faith community in foster care and adoption, working together to ensure there is a family waiting for every child and a church supporting every family.

DONATE NOW

PROJECT 1.27'S FINANCIAL PARTNERS

Denver United Church, Denver
SouthGate Church, Fort Collins
Timberline Church, Fort Collins
Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel, Colorado Springs
Calvary Church, Englewood
Cherry Creek Presbyterian, Englewood
Colorado Community Church, Aurora