Six faith-based child welfare agencies in St. Louis have entered into a collaborative effort, Fostering Faithful Families, to recruit foster and adoptive families within their respective congregations.  The partners in this effort are:

Good Shepherd Children & Family Services / Epworth Children & Family Services / Lutheran Family & Children Services / MBCH Children & Family Ministries / One Heart Family Ministries / Presbyterian Children's Services

Based upon the feedback of current foster and adoptive parents who described their role as a calling, or practice of faith, these agencies agree that the faith-based community is a largely untapped source of permanent families for children and youth in foster care. 

The need for foster and adoptive parents is great, especially for older children and sibling groups.  Being a foster or adoptive parent is a big job and requires a great deal of support from neighbors, friends, family and one's community.  In its mission to connect children with families and keep families together, Good Shepherd Children & Family Services matches children with families and coordinates the support needed to make the family connection a permanent one.

As a member of the Fostering Faithful Families collaboration, Good Shepherd is reaching out to parishes in the hope of finding families willing to open their hearts and homes to a child or youth in foster care.  Additionally, we hope to create communities of support for foster and adoptive parents within the parish - people who might provide a meal once a month, help with babysitting, help with household projects or provide direction to a first-time mom.

Through the support of the parish, foster and adoptive families are better equipped to handle children who need special attention to overcome the trauma of their pasts.  In the process, children experience the stability and love that creates possibilities they would never have dreamed of. 

For more information about being a foster or adoptive parent, supporting a foster family in your parish or neighborhood, or if you'd like us to come speak to a group in your parish, please contact Wykeeta Lee at 314-854-5716 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .