SUMMER 2018
LP
t y i l i b t a S F I N D IN G
IN FAMILY CA RE
g n i v r e S g n t i r o p p Su T H R OUGH
BY ROD MARSHALL, PRESIDENT/CEO
2
Lifeprints
Chereta and sons, Joshua and Jeremiah
t a recent Board meeting, Family Care mom from Grace’s House of Hope in Mobile, Chereta, was asked if she could share her story with our Board. I met Chereta before the Board meeting. She was quiet and a little nervous, but very polite and pleasant. She sat and waited outside of our Board room while the Board conducted its business. Toward the end of our Board meeting, we invited Chereta to come in and share her story. Her anxiety seemed to spike as she looked at the full room. She looked at me and quietly and nervously asked, “Can I read something?” I told her that was fine, and she turned on her phone and began to read very familiar words . . . “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me.” Chereta was reading from the twenty-fifth chapter of the gospel of Matthew. She then shared with our Board how she and her children had been homeless and living in their car, when your Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes took them in. They were hungry and your Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes provided food for them. Your Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes provided them with clean clothes. When Chereta had a medical scare, your Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes cared for her and her children. Chereta did not read this entire passage, but it is one that many of us know by heart. In Matthew 25, Jesus also says, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who
TR ULY I TELL YOU, JUST AS YOU D ID I T TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THE SE,
you did it unto me.
are members of my family, you did it unto me.” And He says, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” When you give to the Children’s Homes and when you pray for the Children’s Homes and those we serve, you are revealing yourself to be deeply concerned about the “least of these,” as you are moved to seek to meet their needs. When we give someone food or clothes or family, we are doing so on your behalf! What a joy it will be to maybe get to stand in the very back of the crowd surrounding the Throne of God and to hear Him say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” It is a privilege to serve on your behalf. May God richly bless you. FAMILY CA RE I S OUR MINI STRY F OR STR UGGLING MOTHER S WI TH C HILDRE N. THI S PROGRAM PROVIDE S A MOTHER WI TH TRA N SI TI ONA L HOUSING WHILE SHE GAIN S EMPLOYME NT, SAVE S MONE Y, REC EIVE S C OUN SELING, A ND LEA RN S LIFE SKILLS, SUC H AS BUDGE TING A ND PA RE NTING. THROUGHOUT THI S I SSUE, YOU’LL F IND STORIE S OF GOD WORKING IN THE LIVE S OF MOTHER S A ND C HILDRE N IN OUR CA RE. Finding Stability in Family Care
3
g n i v i L IN T HE
BY MICHELLE DRASHMAN GLASSFORD, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
4
Lifeprints
Amy and her two children, Jace and Kylee
“
on’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36) Amy, a mom at Grace’s House of Hope, our Family Care home in Mobile, clung to this verse in a recent season of life. She says, “I felt it was a spoken Word one night when I was praying really hard.” Amy was facing a difficult choice—she knew she needed to go through a rehabilitation program for a drug addiction, and to do so, meant finding a safe home for her children to live throughout the duration of that program.
“I was trying to decide at that time, if I should put my kids in foster care with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH), and I turned to that verse in Mark . . . knowing nothing about it (ABCH), I was at peace with it; that’s the only decision I felt at peace with, and so I figured that was God.” She then took steps to place her two children into one of our foster care homes while she attended and completed a Christ-based rehabilitation program through Mobile-area ministry, Home of Grace.
FINDING HOME Once in rehab, Amy not only found freedom from drugs that had enslaved
her for so long, she also found a true relationship with Jesus Christ. She shares, “I found God at the Home of Grace—well, not really. Really, it was more like he found me, right where I was. And I have a real relationship with him. It’s like that void that was always there—it’s filled. I’m just overflowing!” A counselor at Home of Grace shared with Amy about our Family Care home as a possible next step. It worked out for her to move in, and Amy says it’s been a great experience for both her and her children, “My kids LOVE it here. They love the community living and always having somebody to play with. For the past two years, they haven’t had much of a good mom out of me. Over the last year, I was really, really bad off. So that’s another reason they love it, because it’s just us, and we’re all together, and they actually have me all the way. “We do budgeting work here—I’ve never really done a budget plan before. We also work on life skills and are evaluated by our House Manager on things like how you’re taking care of your children, things to improve on, or things you’re doing really well . . . general
(Continued on page 7)
I’M JUST TRYING TO HAVE FAI TH. GOD HAS PUT E VERYTHING THAT I S SUPPO SED TO BE IN FRONT OF ME, IN FRONT OF ME, A ND I FEEL LIKE I T’S GOING TO BE THAT WAY (LATER) . . .
I know it’s going to be okay.
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life skills like cleanliness, mindfulness of what your kids are doing, your attitude—practical things.”
GIVING BACK AND DIVING IN When Amy first entered our program, she was without a job or car, but was blessed with help in making those things happen rather quickly, through the aid of a friend and fellow graduate of Home of Grace. Because of that assistance Amy received, she is even more motivated to help others. “My friend prayed for someone to help, so that’s what I’ve started doing now too. I started praying, ‘God, send me someone that I can bless; let me be a blessing to somebody.’” And she says God has done just that. She has already been able to help one of the moms who moved in across the hall from her at Family Care by helping her get a job where she works. When it comes to work, Amy has a marketing degree, but has found a new passion in service to others through the food industry. In a matter of months, she has already received a promotion and a raise. She’s also been recruited into her company’s management-training program and is excited for higher management opportunities ahead!
THE ROAD AHEAD When asked about what she thinks about life after Family Care, Amy says she is saving money, but is also trying her best not to worry about what is next. “I’m just trying to have faith. God has put everything that is supposed to be in front of me, in front of me, and I feel like it’s going to be that way (later). I’ll know when it’s time . . . I put money aside, but I’m not stressing about the future. I know it’s going to be okay.” Her assurance and peace comes from
her faith and relationship with Christ. “I love everything God has done for me. It’s the most important thing in my life—even above my sobriety and my children—my relationship with God. And I mean it. I’m just on fire for him . . . I want to get involved in the church in some way, to help other people who are out there, like me. Right now, I’m taking the next steps to get involved in the missions work my church does in the community.” Family Care wouldn’t be possible without the community of people who have given and continue to love and support this ministry. From a mom’s perspective, Amy says of these donors, “They’re supporting something that matters. You know how it says in the Bible, to go forward and make disciples? That’s kind of like what I feel places like this do. Especially with children . . . I would just say keep supporting the Baptist Children’s Homes and all their ministries. Because of the difference it makes. One life is worth it. It makes a difference. “I prayed while at Home of Grace that God would give me and my kids somewhere I can go where we can be together; that he would give us a good foundation to start our lives. And it’s amazing.” And that’s exactly how Amy sees this opportunity in our Family Care program: a good and Godly foundation for the rest of their lives. The past is the past. Today is the new thing God is doing, and that is where she is truly living.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Corrections have been made to this article since the time of its original publication. Finding Stability in Family Care
7
Quanicia and her daughter, Briella
g n i v i v r u s g n i v i r th FROM
TO
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Lifeprints
BY NICOLE WALKER, COMMUNICATIONS & DESIGN SPECIALIST
g
’d love to buy a few acres of land and build a home for me and my family.” This is just one of the dreams Family Care mom Quanicia has, along with getting her bachelor’s degree in social work, continue on to get her master’s degree, and biggest of all, to give back to other mothers who have been through difficult journeys similar to what she has faced herself. It was just a few months ago that these dreams seemed so far out of reach for Quanicia and her six-year-old daughter, Briella. Quanicia wasn’t even sure how to pay next month’s bills, or even where she and her daughter were going to sleep the next night. At the time, she says it seemed like she was living in a nightmare that she couldn’t escape. She fell into a deep depression, and all hope seemed lost. Although she earned her associate’s degree to become a Medical Assistant several years ago, the college she attended wouldn’t send her transcripts or give her the official degree because of debts on her account that she couldn’t afford to pay. “It felt like a constant battle trying to fight for my degree,” Quanicia shared. “I eventually gave up.” Without her degree, she wasn’t able to test for her certification or get a job in that field. Without a stable job, she wasn’t able to pay off her debts. It became a continuous and vicious cycle. In addition to her job troubles, she also had some relationship troubles. “Shortly after college, I dated this guy, who I thought was helping me, but it turned out to be an abusive relationship, and from there, things just went downhill.” Recognizing neither she nor her daughter were safe, she eventually left that relationship.
SEARCHING FOR A WAY OUT Bills were tight, her family didn’t have a stable place of their own, and it seemed like Quanicia was running up against a wall she couldn’t get around. Although she was working hard as a caregiver at nights, it was still difficult for her to make ends meet. She eventually turned to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program to help find a better job. Again, she ran into the same problem of not officially having her associate’s degree. The job training counselor that worked with her at WIOA also
This has been the best thing
TO HAPPE N TO US IN A VERY LONG TIME. . .
became concerned about her unstable living situation. Her counselor helped her look for programs or shelters that could provide them a stable home. “I called and interviewed with four or five places that my counselor recommended, but they couldn’t take me in because they have curfews, like at 6:00 PM,” Quanicia shared. “I work at a night job, and going into those programs would have prevented me from keeping my job.” Finding Stability in Family Care
9
I CA N’T WAI T TO SEE WHAT’S UP AHEA D, and
to keep moving foward.
Things seemed to be going nowhere until her job training counselor recommended the Family Care Program at Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH). After an interview and cleared background check, our Family Care team felt that Quanicia and her daughter were a good fit for our program. Valencia, our Family Care Manager in Gardendale, made the call to Quanicia to let them know the good news.
A NEW LEASE IN LIFE “I remember when I first came here, I wasn’t even sure how I was going to take a bath, because I didn’t have any towels to use, or I didn’t know what to use for our beds,” Quanicia shared with tears in her eyes. “When we came in, though, there were bedsheets, blankets, clothes, towels, and Valencia even had a teddy bear waiting for my little girl on her bed. I didn’t think we’d even have our own room, so it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders to walk into our room.” At one time, Quanicia wasn’t sure how she would make it to tomorrow. After a few months in the Family Care program however, she’s now made a two-year plan for her and her daughter. On top of that, she’s finally been able 10 Lifeprints
to obtain her associate’s degree and passed the test to officially be certified as a Medical Assistant. “With the help of ABCH, I’ve been able to get my actual degree, and they provided the books to help me study for my certification. I graduated back in 2013, so it took a lot of studying to remember everything I had learned, but I finally did it!” If that weren’t enough, Quanicia also decided to become certified as a Tax Preparer. “It’s one more skill I now have, and one more way to support my family when I need to,” Quanicia said. “Also, I hope it’s a way I can help other moms in the program when tax season comes around.” Quanicia only wants to move forward, achieving even more of her dreams, such as going back to school to get her bachelor’s degree in social work, so she can help even more people who have been through the kinds of situations she has. Also, her daughter has been thriving since they entered the program! “Briella has made so many friends here and at school,” Quanicia said. “She calls this place the ‘big house’ because there’s so many rooms, and every family has their own room. This has been the best thing to happen to us in a very long time, probably since I’ve had her. She no longer has to ask where we’re sleeping tonight or what’s going to happen.”
COMRADERY THROUGH FAMILY CARE Quanicia and the other mothers currently in our program in Gardendale have formed a strong community with each other. “If I’m having a difficult day, and I see someone else get up and keep going despite similar troubles, it encourages me. I think, ‘If she can do it, I can do it!’” Quanicia shared. “I’ve really been surrounded by positivity
here, with the other mothers, and with Valencia encouraging me every step of the way. Before, I could have a plan or an idea, but I didn’t have anyone who believed in it, so I’d just push it to the side. Now, being here, there are people saying I can do it, and we’re all giving each other that extra push!” While sharing her plans and her dreams, Quanicia couldn’t believe how things have changed in just a few months. “I can’t believe I’m dreaming
of owning my own land one day, and my own house! I can’t wait to see what’s up ahead, and to keep moving forward.” Quanicia will be graduating from our program early since she has done so well. Because she was able to save money during her time in the Family Care Program, she is able to pay the deposit for a new apartment and the utilities! We are excited and looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Quanicia and Briella! Finding Stability in Family Care 11
A group of men from the Kinsley small group
y b g n i v o g L n i v Ser
BY NICOLE WALKER, COMMUNICATIONS & DESIGN SPECIALIST t’s easy to think of going international when talking about missions—but missions can happen right in our own backyard. And that’s what one small group from The Church at Brook Hills is doing.
For several years now, the second grade class at Westminster School at Oak Mountain has come to our Family Care home in Alabaster to volunteer, helping us with gardening and other home needs. It was during those times that, for Liza Kinsley, at teacher at Westminster, a passion began to grow for the ladies and children at our Family Care home. So much so, that she thought it would be a great place for her small group to get plugged in, especially since it was in their community.
it seemed like something the ladies would be more involved in.
It wasn’t too long though, before they were all able to jump right in. The first thing they were able to do was grounds work and removing tree limbs—something the guys in the group were really able to help out with. “It was a really fun time for us,” said Chris, Liza’s husband. “I don’t think a lot of the men were into the initial idea at first, because it just sounded like a ladies’ thing. But they’ve really come on board and have been serving ever since.”
Since that first time, their small group has been hands-on in a variety of ways, including donating supplies, providing gifts at Christmas, getting apartments ready in the home for When Liza came back to her small new mothers and their children to group with this idea, their mementer the program, lawn work, repairbers didn’t hesitate. The ladies were ing bicycles, and much more . . . and it immediately excited, thinking of doesn’t stop there. ways to connect with the mothers at the Family Care home. The guys were “We’re really looking forward to some eager to help too, though at the time, opportunities in the future,” Chris 12 Lifeprints
said, while sharing their vision for ways to connect even more with our families. “We’ve talked about doing a backyard Bible club for the kids and families there, and we’d also like to do some life skills development and spiritual development, like Bible studies, with the moms that our group can lead in.” “I think the most impact we’ve seen has been on our own small group members,” said Chris, “It’s been nice to be able to help people who are right in our community, and to help families get back on their feet and have the escape they need for a time.” Chris goes on to share that it’s really impacted their children too and has been an example to them of what it means to love others. “Whenever I get a call from Cami, (Alabaster Family Care Manager), my daughter immediately gets excited and wants to go with me. She really wants to help, and it’s been exciting for her to catch the vision of loving people . . . and (I know) that it’s not just a feeling, it’s action and ways to serve each other.” The families in our program have been so grateful to Chris and Liza’s small group and the ways they’ve served. “We are eternally grateful for their deep commitment and investment in our families,” said Cami. “They have served in so many ways . . . these generous families have invested their time, energy, and resources to help Family Care. Words cannot express our profound appreciation for their service to the Kingdom in this capacity.”
FOUR WAYS
TO SUPPORT
MOTHERS & CHILDREN
one
PRAY
Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of mothers and children currently in our care.
two
VOLUNTEER
You can help around our Family Care homes in various ways, such as property upkeep, mentoring, babysitting, or decorating rooms.
three
DONATIONS
Donate items from our online Needs List, such as diapers, unused clothes, school supplies, and pantry items.
four
GIVE
Participate as an individual in our Hero Society monthly giving program or as a church through our Annual Offering.
The map to the right shows all of the locations where we provide Family Care. If you’re interested in helping out, please call (888) 720-8805 or visit alabamachild.org/ 13ways.
GARDENDALE ALABASTER
MOBILE
Finding Stability in Family Care 13
Campus Spotlights focuses on one of our campuses, offering real time news and happenings in that area. In this WE issue’s Campus WE’VE SERVED CARED FOR Spotlight, we are happy to share with you stories, updates, and other news from our Birmingham campus!
73children children 61
IN FOSTERCAMPUS CARE SOCARE FAR THROUGH YEARCARE IN 2016 &THIS FOSTER
LIVE S C HA NGED 73children children 21 children 61 child WE’VE SERVED WE CARED FOR
IN FOSTERCAMPUS CARE SOCARE FAR THROUGH YEARCARE IN 2016 &THIS FOSTER
&
21 children child 2 children
IN FOSTER CARE ACCEPTED CHRIST IN 2016
WAS ON THE A/B HONOR ROLL
THIS SAME CHILD WAS ALSO
IN CAMPUS CARE WERE BAPTIZED THIS MONTH
1 of 5 winners OF A POSTER CONTEST
1 child
RECEIVED A CHARACTER AWARD
&
IN FOSTER CARE ACCEPTED CHRIST IN 2016
WAS ON THE A/B HONOR ROLL WE’VE SERVED WE CARED FOR INTHIS CAMPUS CARE WERE BAPTIZED THIS MONTH SAME CHILD WAS ALSO
2 children children 61 children 173of 5 winners
IN FOSTERCAMPUS CARE SOCARE FAR THROUGH &THIS FOSTER CARECONTEST IN 2016 OF AYEAR POSTER
&
211 children child child 2 children
IN FOSTER CARE ACCEPTED CHRIST IN 2016
WAS ON THE RECEIVED A ROLL A/B HONOR CHARACTER AWARD
THIS SAME CHILD WAS ALSO
IN CAMPUS CARE WERE BAPTIZED THIS MONTH
1 of 5 winners OF A POSTER CONTEST
WAYS TO PRAY
1 child
Pray for our court systems as elections draw near,RECEIVED that we Awould CHARACTER AWARD elect wise judges. Pray for permanency for several of our children who have been in care for a long period of time and are in need of a forever home.
14 Lifeprints
s
HIGHLIGHTS CrossRoads Baptist Church of Warrior, Alabama, has been a consistent partner of our Gardendale Family Care program. Their youth group helped baby proof the kitchen cabinets, as well as paint picnic tables outside, and spruce up the playground with mulch. Last Christmas, they delivered presents to our mothers and children. We are extremely thankful and overwhelmed with gratitude for CrossRoads Baptist Church’s continued support!
Foster Care
Liam* has been considered a medical mystery of sorts since he was born. He came into this world three months early and weighed a pound and a half. He was placed in a home with one of our foster families at nine months. He was unable to eat by mouth, and he required a feeding tube. He also needed oxygen during the night. Now, almost a full year later, Liam‘s life looks completely different. He came off oxygen several months ago, and they’re planning to remove his feeding tube soon. He’s crawling, talking, and should start walking soon. And, he has recently been adopted! *Not actual photo. Jana Bazzell has worked for ABCH for 4 years, starting as a foster care social worker in Montgomery in February 2014. Jana says, “I came to Birmingham in January 2017. ABCH has been a part of my family for as long as I can remember. I love working here because I love the heart of what we do: protect, nurture, and restore. Every member of our team embodies that mission, and I think everyone who works with us sees this in all that we do!”
C URRE NT NEEDS Children’s summer clothes in sizes 2, 3, 4, and 5
Finding Stability in Family Care 15
PAID
PERMIT #2036 BIRMINGHAM
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE
SAV E TH E DAT E FOR
F RI DAY , O CTOB ER 12, 2018
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) presents “Aim for Hope,” a first-time Sporting Clay Fundraiser, sponsored by Simmons Sporting Goods. We’ll share more about our ministry while raising awareness and support for children and families across Alabama. To learn more, visit alabamachild.org/aimforhope.
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries P.O. Box 361767 Birmingham, AL 35236-1767
S PON S O R E D BY