History

In any worthy endeavor, there are important questions that must be asked and answered. Why and How are two of those questions to be answered. The “Why” is about passion, obedience, our heart and the call from the Bible itself to welcome the foreigner (Deut. 10:19), show hospitality to the sojourner (Lev. 19:33-34), defend the fatherless (Ps. 82:3) and take care of orphans in their time of need (James 1:27).  The “How” is only planning and effort. 

Here is the story of our “Why”. It begins and ends with the hope of a flourishing community built around healthy families where children are safe, loved and provided for. One of the most vital pieces of any community is the wellbeing of the children in that community. In every way, children will someday shape what our communities hold true and dear. Their experiences, during childhood, will have a profound impact on the adult they become. The most impactful factor which influences a child is whether they are raised in a loving home with their needs being met.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen.

Upon learning that our local child welfare agency had a need for 125 foster families in Highlands, Hardee and Polk the 111 Project was started to engage the local churches to help meet the need. 

After some research, we realized that there are over 800 actual churches in these 3 counties. Imagine the impact on our communities if every church would identify just one family willing to foster or adopt, we would have more than enough families to care for these children in need! Then, once the foster/adoptive family steps up, the rest of their church family can provide support for that family to make sure they have every resource needed to be successful. With our local churches getting engaged at a new and higher level to meet these needs, we would even have families waiting to foster or adopt. What a blessing that would be for our local child welfare agency to have an abundance of homes to choose from to make the best placement for the child. The children in crisis would be served as they should be, timely and with real love.