Exciting Southeast Baptist Church meets needs of children in program 

TAHLEQUAH – A smile instantly spreads across Circle of Care PAL Program Director Kristina Belcher’s face as Anita Jones pulls into the parking lot.  

Jones, the Point Person for Exciting Southeast Baptist Church, has arrived with a trunk packed full of items for children in the Preparation for Adult Living program.  

The Circle of Care PAL program supports children who are aging out of the foster care system by providing educational, financial, and spiritual resources.  

There are 199 17-year-old children in foster care at risk of aging out as of Jan. 1, 2024, according to monthly numbers released by Oklahoma Human Services.  

“We’re trying to help youth achieve some kind of self-sufficiency and independence, learn those skills that maybe they didn’t get in the foster home or because they move around,” Belcher said. “These kids, usually from the age of 16 to 18, have a lot of placements so they don’t get everything they need. So, we teach them those and we teach all kinds of life skills.”  

Those skills range from washing clothes and cleaning the house to cooking a meal and proper hygiene. Children within the PAL program can stay up to four years and are provided with counseling, educational assistance, financial assistance and more. They are required to be pursuing their education, working part time, and serving their community. 

The PAL program can house up to nine children and runs solely on donations.  

 “We rely tremendously on the CarePortal to put in needs that these kids have,” she said. 

CarePortal, a growing connection technology managed by the 111Project, allows agency partners – like Circle of Care – to submit vetted needs to the community and local churches to serve families in crisis.  

These vetted needs can range from diapers and wipes to bunk beds and blankets, which will help support a foster family, strengthen a biological family, help a family get one step closer to reunification or support a child aging out of the system. 

111Project is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) 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 one 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. 

Although the PAL program apartments have the basic items like a bed, table, and refrigerator, it doesn’t have essential items like sheets, laundry detergent, dishes or pots and pans. Through CarePortal, Exciting Southeast Baptist Church has been able to provide these essential items to these children transitioning into adulthood.  

“We’ve been able to meet every new admissions need with CarePortal,” Belcher said. 

Belcher said every single request they’ve made has been met and it’s been amazing to watch as the church steps up and fills the gap.  

“We’re here to help guide these youth and heal them through their trauma and equipping them with these life skills,” she said. “I know there’s good out there and they want to see our youth become strong adults.”   

Exciting Southeast Baptist Church has been active on CarePortal for years and has met nine out of 10 requests submitted by the Circle of Care PAL program. In 2023, ESBC met 15 requests, served 24 children, and had an economic impact of $14,123.  

Jones, who heads up the church’s One Less Ministry, said transitioning into adulthood is hard for any child, but the children in the PAL program are at a disadvantage.  

“They’re aging out and they don’t have anybody,” Jones said. “They’re’ out there trying to make it on their own. They just need all the support and help we can give them.”  

Belcher said seeing Jones consistently show up for the children in the program is heartwarming and encouraging. Jones is reliable in meeting needs and in providing positive and contagious energy, she said.  

“She’s always doing stuff for others,” Belcher said. “She’s a very positive, giving person.” 

Jones said she’s just doing what all Christians have been called to do biblically, which is to take care of those in need.  

“Everybody has a part, not everybody can house or adopt or foster, but we all have a part in helping them,” Jones said. “Whether it’s praying for them whether it’s in buying necessities or buying them a gift every once in a while, or supporting the families that are housing them.”   

The PAL program is looking for people willing to teach life skills – like how to change a tire, sew a button, fix a bike, paint, etc.  

“We’re always looking for people with life skills,” Belcher said. “We can explore anything they want to give us. It doesn’t always have to be monetary – a lot of times it’s just people’s time is more valuable or skill that they can get back to us.”    

Belcher said they’re solely supported by the community and having a willing teacher is helpful.  

“Any time to teach someone is of value and it’s a connection for that kid,” she said. “And those connections are most important.”    

Anyone interested in volunteering their time at the PAL program can contact Kiley Sparks at 918-456-6166.  

“This is a small program, but it’s making a difference,” Belcher said. “We may not see it here, but when they leave, they become productive citizens.”   

Any churches or individuals interested in learning more or getting involved can visit 111project.org.