“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows … God places the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:5-6)

Fostering Faithful Families is a project to engage the Catholic Faith Community in support of foster families.  The Good Shepherd Fostering Faithful Families (FFF) project is a collaborative effort to recruit foster and adoptive families within their respective congregations.  Our participating partners in this effort are Lutheran Family & Children Services and One Heart Ministries. The goal of FFF is to educate the parishes of the Archdiocese about the needs of foster children, including Christian foster and adoptive parents.  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 FFF project is also endorsed by Epworth Children & Family Services, MBCH Children & Family Ministries, and Children’s Foundation of Mid-America. The FFF project includes identifying a volunteer ambassador (individuals or groups) who works with our Good Shepherd staff to raise awareness.  They work within the parish to organize gift drives, prayer groups or general support for foster families. 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. If you are interested, please contact our FFF coordinator at (314) 854-5716.