“They are a population that is often unseen and looked over.” Alicia works for Stand in the Gap, an organization that fosters long-term relationships with a team of mentors and young people transitioning into adulthood and out of foster care. These mentors support them as they find a job, graduate high school, and become more independent. Alicia explains that many of these students and young adults are often missed in regards to needing support. Stand in the Gap trains a group of mentors who meet with the student about once a month and check in with them regularly. “So many people don’t realize how important it is for these young people to have someone to go to who is safe and reliable. Go do things with them and be present for them. Just show up,” Alicia pointed out. Recently, Stand in the Gap has been able to post the needs of these young adults to Care Portal. “We’ve been able to post-relational needs as well, such as students who need a mentor team,” Alicia shared, “Not one of the requests we’ve posted to 111Project’s CarePortal has gone unmet.”
“Not one of the requests we’ve posted to 111Project’s CarePortal has gone unmet.”
Alicia Keathley, stand in the Gap
BattleCreek Church has been a great partner with Stand in the Gap. Alicia worked with BattleCreek for many years and was so excited to see mentor teams continue to have long-lasting relationships with these students. CarePortal has opened up many opportunities for Stand in the Gap to start new relationships with new mentors and churches.
“CarePortal has opened up many opportunities for Stand in the Gap to start new relationships with new mentors and churches. We call CarePortal our gold.”
Alicia Keathley, stand in the Gap
“We call CarePortal our gold.” Recently, one young man was graduating high school and wanted to get his driver’s permit. “The things we post to Care Portal are needs that would never otherwise be cared for. These requests are so important to these kids,” Alicia explains. Right after the need was posted, a member of BattleCreek church stepped up to pay for the driver’s permit. As this young man transitions into adulthood, he now has more independence with a car and a driver’s license. Now, he has a good job and stability. “One of my favorite things about Stand in the Gap is seeing the change in the mentors,” Alicia shared. “It is amazing to see their hearts change and their perspective open to people who have different lives.” Alicia sent a picture of the young man with his driver’s permit to the BattleCreek member who met the request. Since then, the man who answered the request has been more involved with Stand in the Gap.
“CarePortal has opened up a whole new door,” Alicia said. She has loved seeing new churches meet a request and then build long-term relationships with the young men and women. The mentor teams started through CarePortal have the potential to generationally change lives. Alicia sees the impact of churches committing to meet these foster care needs can be. “Every need on CarePortal is a big deal. I wish more people and churches understood CarePortal is the way to go.”
“Every need on CarePortal is a big deal. I wish more people and churches understood CarePortal is the way to go.”
Alicia Keathley, stand in the Gap