Churches serve six kids through CarePortal, children in foster care drop
CHOCTAW – Baby formula, newborn diapers, baby wipes, pacifiers, onesies, baby bottles and a diaper bag were just a few of the items listed on the very first CarePortal request sent out in Choctaw county.
CarePortal, which has been active in Choctaw County for over a month, allows agency partners, like the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Welfare, to submit vetted needs to the community so local churches can serve families in crisis.
A family had just moved to Choctaw County and needed help providing the items for their six-day-old baby girl during visitation.
“These items will help the family care for the child during visits,” the CarePortal request stated. “It would also help provide a boost of confidence for these parents as they will be able to provide additional items for the bag as visitation progresses.”
New Life Family Church, Victory Life Hugo and Hall Freewill Baptist Church worked together to meet the need and provide the items.
111Project Regional Manager Jonathan Cox said four requests have been met since CarePortal launched, serving six children and estimating an economic impact of over $4,264.
“That community is well set up for success,” Cox said. “That’s not because they have big churches. It’s not because they have a crazy amount of money … it’s because they just have a heart to serve.”
Choctaw County has 27 children in foster care as of May 1, according to monthly numbers released by the OKDHS. The number of children in care dropped from 31 when CarePortal launched in March.
“It’s more than just getting them a bunk bed, more than just giving them a chair,” Cox said. “They need family. They need friends. They need community.”
111Project is a not-for-profit 501c3 with the mission to mobilize the local church so every child has family. The organization’s initial goal is to mobilize 1,000 churches across Oklahoma that can serve at least a family a month on CarePortal and recruit and support a foster family every year.
If 1,000 out of the 6,200 churches in Oklahoma commit to recruit and support one foster family a year, and serve one family a month on CarePortal, the state will move closer to having more than enough help for children and families in crisis.
Choctaw County, launched in late March, is the third county launched in 2023 and is the 43rd county launched in total, which is more than halfway to statewide expansion.
Dewey county is scheduled to launch May 25. The date for the Choctaw County Community Gathering is to be determined. Check the events calendar for updates.
Any churches or individuals interested in learning more or getting involved can visit 111project.org.