As I said on my first blog post, I am involved with The C.A.L.L. (it stands for Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime). Its mission is "[t]o educate, equip and encourage the Christian community to provide a future and a hope for the children in foster care." The Bible says that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." - James 1:27 (NIV). I think that many in the Christian community (including myself) fall down on our job as it relates to these areas.
For some, it may be because you don't know how exactly you can help orphans and widows. If this is you, The C.A.L.L. is a great organization that you can get involved in that has many ways you can help/support. Here are some ways you can get involved:
(1) Foster/Foster-to-Adopt - There are ALWAYS more foster homes needed to love on and care for these children who did absolutely nothing to get in the situation they're in and really need that love, in addition to just the physical needs of shelter, food, etc. You can sign up to foster for emergency, short-term situations, long-term situations, or even foster to adopt. The C.A.L.L. helps train foster parents and expedite the process (in terms of home studies, etc.), as well as providing support for these families once they begin fostering.
(2) Be a church rep - If The C.A.L.L. hasn't already come to your church and you would be willing to be the church rep at your church, let them know! The C.A.L.L. can come to your church on any Sunday and tell your church congregation about its mission and how they can help support it.
(3) Babysit - These parents who put their hearts, souls and resources into fostering these children could use a date night every now and again to maintain their own relationship. Or they may have other reasons they just need a night off. You can sign up to babysit a foster child/children and that can be your loving support to these families.
*** (4) Resources - You can give of your resources, whether that is money or any other needs The C.A.L.L. has for these foster children. Many times, foster children are coming from situations where they do not have much in terms of material possessions. For example, many foster children in this area do not have a suitcase. When they have to go from one temporary foster home to another, they have to take the few belongings they do have with them in a garbage bag. This is heartbreaking to me! Could you imagine how it must feel to be in these kids' situation? As I'm insinuating, one of the largest needs of foster children in this area (and probably elsewhere too) is suitcases for these children. In fact, during the month of September, the Women's Ministry of Cross Church Fayetteville is doing a service project to help with this problem. We are accepting new and gently used suitcases for these children. Suitcases can include duffel bags or backpacks (anything is better than a trash bag, right?). If you have any that you can part with, I hope that you consider doing so. If you do not attend Cross Church Fayetteville, I can be a go-between (meet you and take the suitcases to them myself). ***
To learn more about The C.A.L.L. and how you can get involved/support it, go here.
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