Many times when a child is removed from their biological parents, they are placed in the home of a family member or acquaintance. These are called kinship placements. These kinship foster families especially benefit from CarePortal, as they often go a while without receiving support from the state for the children in their care. Unlike a traditional foster family, a kinship foster family usually has not been planning and preparing to bring new children into their home. The immediate expenses this results in can be difficult to bare.  

Earlier this year, in Tulsa County, we heard of a foster mother who had taken in three siblings that were related to her. The foster mom had two biological children of her own. She now had five children in her home, several of them very young. Unfortunately, not long after these siblings came to live with her, her washing machine broke. This mom began having to take the kids to a laundromat to keep up with the laundry their big family produced. This was a struggle for both her and her kids.

When the caseworker learned of the situation, she sent out a request for a washing machine through CarePortal. It was quickly met by a local church!

Here’s what the caseworker had to say:

“WOW! I can’t believe how fast this family’s need was met. I am so full of joy and I know the foster mom will be too. By having a washing machine, the foster mom does not have to take the children to the laundromat anymore… Not only will it be easier for her to do laundry, but the little ones won’t have to get out in the cold weather and will be able to stay safe and warm at home. Thank you to City Church!!! Your generosity is very much appreciated.”

In Oklahoma, it’s common for family, friends, or relatives to want to care for children they already know that come into state custody.  Often, it is financial barriers or physical needs that keep these potential kinship foster families from being able to take a placement or maintain a placement.  In these situations, we have an opportunity to step up and care for one family and in turn care for (often) multiple children living in a home that is familiar. The alternative is to to find multiple unfamiliar homes to care for these same children. All across our country there is a need for both traditional foster homes and kinship foster homes. The ministry of the local church, in partnership with 111Project & OKDHS, is helping meet these needs!

We are ready to expand this ministry to other counties in the state of Oklahoma. Some counties could easily be launched, making CarePortal available in those regions. But, in order to expand, we need committed churches and financial resources.  Would you consider making a year end donation to 111Project? A monthly gift of $100 helps sustain the ministry of CarePortal in under-resourced areas where we currently serve. A one-time gift of $1,200 could launch CarePortal in a small county in Oklahoma.  A generous gift of $15,000 could launch CarePortal in one of the remaining large counties in Oklahoma. 

Please prayerfully consider partnering with us to unlock the local church and ensure that no Oklahoma child is without a home that needs one!