Each year, nearly 1100 foster families close their homes and hang up their licenses across the State of Florida, all while the number of children entering foster care continues to rise. At current levels, we would need to license and open nearly 1500 new homes every year to replace the ones that close and have sufficient homes to care for those entering care. Founded by a foster family for foster families, Unity Foster Ministries, Inc, has a unique understanding of what it is like to serve on the front lines of the foster care system. We have felt the anticipation, uncertainty and heartache with and for these children as they have crossed our threshold and into a new home surrounded by strangers.
It has long been said that “Necessity is the mother of all invention”, and Unity Foster Ministries is no exception! Ask any foster parent what they wished they could change about the foster system and you will get any number of responses, but the one response that you will likely hear echoed time after time is SUPPORT! Foster parents face a number of challenges with every placement and unfortunately we find that society does not place the same importance on having a foster child placed in your home as it does you bringing home your very own biological child. There is no baby shower, no line of people wanting to come meet the member of your family, no one to help out around the house while you and your family adjust to your new family dynamic and no one bringing you meals to help lessen the burden while you suffer from sleepless nights and hectic days. Truth is, this is the kind of help that foster families need in order to keep their homes open for our most vulnerable children. The lack of these types of support from friends and even family, continues to be a huge barrier to the growth of existing families and the development of new foster homes.
Enter Unity Foster Ministries, Inc., a not for profit support organization deeply rooted in faith and our belief that the care of foster children is directly commanded by Christ and it is the responsibility of every Church and every Christian to support those who have chosen to care for these children regardless of their relationship with with God. We believe that we should all be expressing the love of Christ through our actions and it starts with loving on and supporting foster families and the children in their care. James 1 : 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
