Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to our friends, staff and members of First Congregational Church of Winter Park for their kindness and the continuous support of the Foundation for Foster Children and to our local foster children through your generous contributions.
Most recently individuals donated through a special Fathers Day offering where gifts have totaled over $1000.00 to date to aide local foster children.
Every child in foster care has a story and on Father’s Day, Heidi Jordan shared a small piece of her personal story growing up in foster care. She mentioned examples of what impact adults made in her life – caregivers, coaches, teachers, and social workers. In particular her foster father Roger Clark made a significant impact as a positive ‘male role model’. “He was someone that took the time to help me focus on my talents and abilities… someone who helped build my self-confidence- strengthening my abilities to make better decisions,” says Jordan. “Dad always said that I could be whoever I wanted to be if I set my mind to it – He often quoted ‘Life is what you make it – what you put into it is what you get out of it’. That quote has always stuck with me through many of life’s challenges.”
First Congregational Church of Winter Park has been a kind and generous partner within the faith-based community. The acts and gifts that this church family has provided will directly impact a child in foster care where needed most, providing them with tutoring resources, enrichment and normalcy activities.
“We realize during these economic times it is very difficult for so many to make ends meet in our own families – and yet we are still blessed and want to find ways in which to help others”, said Jordan.The church youth have been involved in collecting items for the Adopt a Duffel program, and older youth performed an outreach ‘skit’ focusing on “Foster Care Transitioning” at a Sunday service. Resulting from this awareness, individuals and families collected for the Foundation for Foster Children House Warming Baskets Program where more than 20 foster youth aging-out will receive a house warming basket with supplies to begin a new journey in their lives.
In addition the Foundation for Foster Children in collaboration with the First Congregational Church of Winter Park, Orange Co. Legal Aide Guardian ad Litem and Intervention Services Inc. recently become involved in an extension of the program to develop and ‘pilot’ a Home Visitors Program.
The “Home Visitor Program” matches a youth who is transitioning out of foster care with a caring adult who provides guidance as that youth settles into his or her new home and life. This program offers a unique opportunity to help a youth successfully transition into adulthood. Participants gain personal satisfaction from knowing that a youth is learning and growing as a result of each home visit. To date 41 individuals have attended the Home Visitors Program orientation and informational sessions held at the church with 10 adults (Visitors) currently signed on and looking forward to meeting their ‘match’ (Host). Over 40 youth/young adults in the tri-county area have expressed an interest in being matched with a caring adult so there are more opportunities available.
The Foundation is most grateful and appreciates all of the support received from the First Congregational Church of Winter Park. We value the time, talent and resources that each person has openly given. Your personal commitment has been extraordinary.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
For more Information about the Foundation for Foster Children’s Home Visitors Program:
If you or your spouse/partner are looking for cause in which to engage in a meaningful community service project, then becoming a ‘Home Visitor’ may be the right opportunity for you. We are Individuals who are good listeners, can provide encouragement, who are flexible and patient, and can commit to a minimum of at least 6-visits within a period of 9 months. To find out more on how you can make an influential impact in a foster youth’s life, Please contact the Foundation for Foster Children for more information on how to become involved.
Speaking Engagements
A goal of the Foundation for Foster Children is to increase public awareness and support of the unmet needs for the over 1500 foster children residing in the tri-county area who are there through no fault of their own. One of the best ways the Foundation for Foster Children can accomplish this goal is through speaking engagements. The Foundation’s Executive Director, Heidi Jordan, can lend a personal perspective as she grew up in the foster care system and welcomes the opportunity to speak to your organization. She has presented to a variety of community groups including: civic and faith-based organizations, business associations, children s’ organizations, and schools to name a few.
Please contact the Foundation for Foster Children office at 407.422.4615 if your organization has a desire to learn more about local foster children or go to our website at www.foundationforfosterchildren.org