Last month I read an article in our local paper that stirred up some old feelings for me. Family and Children’s Services are in such desperate need of additional families that they are now making a specifically targeted plea at families of Faith.
For those of you who know our family, you know what we went through trying to become foster parents 7 years ago.
We completed the foster parent program with them back in the fall/winter of 2001. The classes went so well as did the home assessment process. Everything was going well… or so we thought.
Looking back I can remember thinking that it was rather odd that our home assessment agent spent more time during our interviewing process on our faith than anything else. Hours of asking if we’d try to convert a child who wasn’t a Christian; of asking if we’d be tolerant of a child’s faith if it wasn’t like ours. She questioned our ability to do this because not only are we heavily involved in our church, but because we are the leaders.
One of the foster parent volunteers that helped lead our class at FACS told me that the majority of her church applied to become foster parents and everyone but her was denied. She also said that at one point she thought FACS were changing their minds on choosing them, so she wouldn’t be surprised if they made it difficult for us too.
Indeed they did. They denied us from becoming foster parents. Their decision was not only a strange one but a devastating one as well. Of course they listed a bizarre reason that left everyone who knows us shaking their heads. If you are interested in the full story, I blogged about it back in 2006. Post #1 & Post # 2
This seems like an ongoing issue – they want families of faith to step up… just NOT the Christian faith. I’ve been hearing murmurings about that kind of thing around here, too. Disappointing to say the least. Is it worse in Canada, you think? Are you guys really going to go through the process again?
I do think it is worse in Canada.
We started the fostering process with another agency in our region, Christian run, but they had internal issues with leadership and closed down. We’re now looking into another one and next month will be introducing them to our church body.
I still say you guys would be awesome foster parents…
I keep hearing of one being advertised on the local Christian radio station. I wonder if that’s the one your currently looking in to.
I think if it is still on your heart then maybe it’s for a reason!
Check out Jewls for Jesus. They have a fostering system.