Have you ever tried to make a difference for children in foster care? Maybe you started by joining a small group at church, maybe you donated clothes to a foster care closet, maybe you took a meal over to those folks at church who had just become foster parents. It started with a simple yes. All you did was come in for a closer look -- and now looking back -- you realize that your simple yes is leading you to something much bigger.

In the state of Oklahoma, the number of children in foster care has dramatically decreased over the past few years. This change has stemmed from many individuals, like Misty Seale and Chris Campbell with the 111 Project, who understand the power of a simple ‘yes’. Chris and Misty have been witness to the large transformations occurring for children, homes, and lives across their state that all started with individuals and their small ‘yes’.

When the church is rallying around families, loving on social workers, and caring for children, it is what it was always meant to be: the light of the world. When the church is here, everything changes.

On this episode we are joined by Jason Johnson, National Director of CAFO Church Ministry Initiative, as he shares about what it means for a church to engage with foster care. Lauri Currier and Ann Book talk about their work with The CALL in Arkansas, where one county reached more than enough for children and families in foster care, and we wrap up with Jessica Stern, COO of Connect our Kids. Jessica shares a few stories from her own childhood, and what it meant for the local church to ‘show up’ and support her family.

The More Than Enough Podcast connects you to the people, ideas, and tools in foster care that will help your community work together to fill the biggest gaps in caring for children and families.

When two College Station, TX residents realized the number of children who were sleeping at their local child welfare office due to a lack of available foster care placements, they knew that they needed to do something about it. In this episode, Jenni Olowo and Lauren Falcone share their incredible 3 month journey from seeing the problem, to activating their community and opening The Haven, a temporary home for children and caseworkers to stay while awaiting a foster care placement. Their inspirational story demonstrates how communities can take ownership of the foster care problem in their area and come together to provide a solution.

Get the show notes: https://morethanenough.cafo.org/podcasts/more-than-enough-podcast/

In this episode, Adrien Lewis and Lisa McNearney share some of the powerful stories behind the development of CarePortal, a technology connecting platform that brings the needs of hurting children and families in a community to the attention of the Church. The impact that CarePortal has created in Missouri and throughout the U.S. demonstrates how providing more than enough for children and families in foster care can be possible when there is a way for a community to cultivate proximity to the needs of others and an opportunity to support.

Dr. Sharen Ford, a former child welfare administrator, and Helen Parks, a former foster youth turned advocate, share their unique insights on how the church can successfully partner with government to show hospitality to children in foster care. They offer practical tools and helpful reflections based on what has worked well in their own state of Colorado, which we hope can equip listeners across the nation to collaborate effectively with churches, government agencies, and organizations alike in an effort to provide more than enough for children and families in foster care in their own communities.

John Buultjens shares the powerful story of his journey from enduring childhood in an abusive home, to spending time in juvenile detention and foster care, to meeting and experiencing the love of his foster and adoptive parents, and to later finding purpose and joy in his passion for BMX riding. He also discusses the newly-released film, The Ride, and shares a preview of this inspirational movie based on the events of John’s own life.

We are joined by Peter Greer and Chris Horst as they share about their book, Rooting for Rivals, and discuss the importance of collaboration and unity. Peter and Chris recount various stories from non-profit organizations across the country as well as their own leadership experiences that demonstrate the multiplying power of working alongside, rather than against, one another. They also offer several practical steps toward better collaboration among non-profit leaders, churches, and individuals who are all committed to providing more than enough for kids and families in their local communities.

For decades, the Palmer Home for Children had been known in Mississippi for its role as a traditional, residential home, but in recent years, the leadership of Palmer Home began to discuss the best way to provide for children and started to re-think their organization’s original model. As Drake Bassett and his team started to expand their approach to include a focus on family strengthening and foster care, it made a way for families like Amy’s to become invested and involved in the lives of the children that Palmer Home cares for. Palmer Home’s story demonstrates the importance of making big changes, despite what has always been done, to act in the best interest of the child.

When Crystal’s daughter was placed in Holly’s home through the foster care system, Holly was determined to form a relationship with her birth mother. Having the ultimate goal of family reunification in mind, Holly wanted to do everything that she could to help Crystal succeed and to love her unconditionally through the entire process. With this encouragement and support, Crystal was able to overcome addiction and bring her daughter back into her home. Crystal and Holly’s story is a beautiful example of the power of supporting and ministering to birth parents.