Family Care & Support.

We are so thankful to have incredible network of families that support one another here at First. You have find this support through FAMily First (Adoption & Foster Care), Special Forces (Buddies for our Special Needs Students), and Safe Families (Temporary Foster Care Placement).

FAMily First

Foster/Adoption Ministry - Intentionally Loving Youth.

The mission of our FAMily First ministry is to educate and support followers of Jesus who have a desire to live out James 1:27 and "look after orphans in their distress."   This is done through educational seminars,  monthly small group meetings,  playdates,  socials,  fundraisers, prayer and more!  We have relationships with agencies that our families have worked with as well as many families who have been through the process of adoption and foster care that love to help and encourage others.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): www.nochildabuse.org/casa.html


For more information, contact
Leslie Crosby at kevincrosby@sbcglobal.net
Call or Text at 209. 712.7951

Special Forces

we believe that all people were created in love by God, and possess value. Our “Special Forces” Ministry reinforces that belief by providing activities, assistance, and resources for the neurodiverse, those with physical limitations, and their families and caregivers.

We provide a "buddy system" for all of our FBCkids programs so children with special needs can participate in our programs with an older teen or adult helper, and make modifications specifically to the needs of each child.

We also hold events throughout the year for both special needs children and adults!

For more information on this program, contact Pastor Tim at Tim@fbclodi.org

Safe Families

Families Helping Families

When a crisis strikes, many of us rely on relatives and friends for support.  But for some families, there is no safety net.  Often, a straightforward problem such as postpartum depression or unemployment can be debilitating.  Children in these situations often suffer neglect or abuse; some eventually are removed from their home and placed in state custody.

But now, thanks to an exciting program offered through Koinonia, parents experiencing a temporary crisis can arrange for their children to stay with a Christian family while they address the issues that led to their situation.  The program, Safe Families, is fast becoming a national model for communities that want to expand their safety net for at-risk children.
 
Making A Difference
Safe Families volunteers can have a powerful impact in the lives of others while practicing biblical hospitality, extending the love of Christ to people in need, sharing their faith and connecting with those from another culture - all from their own home!

Since Safe Families began in Chicago in 2002, the program has helped people in a variety of situations, including:

  • Parents facing eviction and homelessness
  • A mother who couldn't find childcare when her sudden illness required surgery
  • A pregnant teenager whose mother was homeless and father threw her out of his house
  • And children whose mothers were undergoing drug rehabilitation
How Does Safe Families Work?
Koinonia caseworkers hear about families in crisis from a variety of referral sources, including schools, hospitals, social workers, churches and other Christian agencies.  Our staff works quickly to contact an available volunteer family and share the situation with them.  Volunteers agree to the placement at their own discretion, and can put a time limit on their involvement.  The average length of stay is about six weeks, but can range from two days to a year.  

Biological parents maintain full custody of their child, and are encouraged to participate in decisions regarding their child's care while they address whatever issues led to their crisis.  For some, this could mean drug rehabilitation; for others, it might involve leaving an abusive relationship or finding steady employment.

Koinonia staff keep in touch with the parents, working closely with the referring organization to determine when and if the family can be reunited.  Nationally, 85% of all families in the program come back together, often in the most stable environment they've ever known.  In other cases the children are eventually placed with relatives or in foster care.  

To learn more or volunteer please contact Shauna Buzunis-Jacob at 209-601-5548 or e-mail at sjbuz@comcast.net

Safe Families volunteers include singles and married couples at every life stage, all of whom simply decided to make room in their hearts and homes for children in need.
 
Are you a family in need, or do you know a family in need?