What our children say about 4KIDS:

Jeremy*, age 4

With unrelenting exuberance, Jeremy tells us how he really feels about his foster Mom; “I LOVE my mom!”   “I LOVE my mom!”   “I LOVE my mom!”

Samantha* age 8

Family outings with her 4 foster sisters get rave reviews from Samantha; “I like when they take us out to the movies and dinner!”

Johnny*, age 9

“I’ve learned about manners and respect.”  Johnny has table manners that would make you proud to take him out to dinner! 

Kelly*, age 9

I have learned to be respectful to other people.”  Kelly is learning healthy communication skills, the foundation for her future interaction and relationships.

Tony*, age 13

“It’s moved me out of a behavioral school and I look at life a whole different way – now I want to be more like Christ.”  Tony has experienced a true change of heart, which is evident in his actions and behavior!

Juan*, age 17

“Since being here, I’ve grown more as a Christian and I’ve learned that following the crowd isn’t necessarily the best thing to do.”  Juan is growing into a courageous young adult, learning to make responsible choices.

Gabby, age 19

After being abandoned and living more than 2 ½ years at GirlsPlace, Gabby has hope for a bright future; “They gave me my life back!”

( * Indicates a change in name for the confidentiality of the child.)

Feedback from 4KIDS Foster Parents:

Yvonne Winfrey, KidsPlace House Parent

I knew that God would use us to change the children, but I didn't realize how much He would use them to change us.  I used to only see the "what" in a child's behavior.  For example, "What are they doing wrong?"  God has used KidsPlace to have us look at the "why" in a child's behavior.  More importantly, "Why is a child behaving this way?"  I believe that God has given us this new discernment to really get to the heart of the matter in a child's life.  That's only the beginning to being able to help them.

Don and Loretta Carter, GirlsPlace House Parents

We are honored to be the parents of our incredible group of teenage girls for the past three years!  Seeing what God does through the good times and bad is always exciting.  He always shows up mightily!  We have all grown in ways we never thought we would.  Thank you Jesus, for our incredible journey, and for making us grow as a family of God.

Ken and Liz Lacy, 4KIDS Foster Parents

“The Lord Jesus has placed this calling in our hearts.  The blessing and peace of Christ follows, regardless of the circumstances.  As we serve Christ by caring for abused or abandoned children, a ‘culture of restoration’ has been established in our home - by loving and caring for others, compassion becomes habitual.”

Tom and Wendy Keller, 4KIDS Foster Parents

We are some of your newest foster parents – we were just licensed and received our first child in September 2005.  In dealing with a Christian agency, we had very high expectations.  You have FAR exceeded our expectations.   You are so knowledgeable, supportive and just simply reflective of Christ’s love.  You are such a blessing in our lives.  THANK YOU – God bless you!

Volunteers’ Perspectives

Jim, a volunteer helping out at 4KIDS family-style homes was surprised to find:

“In the year and a half I’ve been volunteering at 4KIDS, it’s been my experience that the kids always give back way more than I give to them.”

Lou, a long-time volunteer finds: “Caring for foster children, I learn so much about the love of Jesus – how to give it and how to receive it! Volunteering with 4KIDS has been and always will be an amazing gift.  It may look like ‘volunteering’, but it’s really God’s gift and blessing to me.  I never met a foster child who hasn’t made me proud of being a part of 4KIDS.  Thesekids have amazing potential.  All they need is a chance.” 

Nadia, a volunteer at SafePlace has her whole family’s support:

“Helping at SafePlace is so fulfilling and rewarding!  I can serve with joy, and my whole family helps me.  Even though it takes me away from home for some evenings, they know how important it is to help these children, that, they help with additional chores like doing the dishes after dinner, to free up my time so I can help at SafePlace.”

Denise, a volunteer on the Golf Committee puts her time and talents to work for 4KIDS:  “As a real estate broker, when I found 4KIDS needed gift certificates and raffle prizes for a golf tournament that gives them the proceeds, I jumped at it!   This is a way I can help, that works into my schedule, fits my talents, and I can help behind the scenes, to help them get funding so they can continue to do the wonderful work they do!   I just wish I could do so much more!”

Linda, volunteers in the 4KIDS office, sorting through donations, making phone calls and does data entry.  “Volunteering for 4KIDS fills places in my heart that I never knew existed.  If the little that I do helps even one child in some way, then it’s worth every minute.  Every child should have the opportunity to have a safe home, love and compassion.  That’s what we’re here for.”