Connecting and Loving: A Collective Heart for Foster Families
"My favorite part about ABCH is, not only are they making a difference in the lives of children and families, but these kids are hearing the Gospel and seeing it lived out! They aren’t just hearing about this Jesus who died for them. They are seeing how a relationship with Christ makes us want to serve and love because he first loved us . . .!”, shares ABCH volunteer, Jennifer Davison.
Jennifer is a member of our Mobile Regional Advocacy Board (RAB), an active group of volunteers who most recently held a “Family Fun Night” event at The Grounds (Mobile Fairgrounds) for our area foster families, and what a fun night they had!
A FAMILY-FUN EVENT
Having met as a group for almost a year now, the RAB has been exposed to our ministry in direct, up-close ways. As the Lord has grown their involvement with ABCH, we’ve also seen their hearts grow even more for the children and families in our care. Out of a growing desire to bless our families, an idea was sparked at a spring meeting that turned into a unique and special time for many this summer.
The event they dreamed up, planned, and saw come to life gave foster families the opportunity to enjoy a fun night as a family. They enjoyed a BBQ dinner, inflatables, face painting, music, a trackless train, and various yard games.
RAB Member Elizabeth Mahan says, “We wanted to give the foster families a chance to relax and have fun, where everyone could get to know one another better and just have a good time . . . I believe we had a great turnout. I counted at least 160 people, and everyone seemed so happy and like they enjoyed themselves!”
Katie Prine is one of our foster parents who brought their families. Currently, she and her husband care for three children in our care and one baby of their own! She says, “Our kids absolutely loved it. They got to run, play with other kids who were there, and enjoy the freedom that came with the event being in a contained but open space . . . they didn’t want to leave!”
While deeply fulfilling, foster parenting can also be quite challenging. Katie says she felt so normal and understood at this event, in the company of other foster parents in similar situations.
Jennifer says, “The purpose behind the event was to connect with some of the local foster families and love on them. They are on the front lines, and we wanted to show them how much we appreciate their sacrifice to love and provide a safe place for these children who are in their care.”
Serving as a committed group of volunteers for ABCH, RAB members advocate, communicate, support, and build relationships to further the mission of ABCH. They are truly superheroes to our ministry. This event was a direct reflection of their hearts, as they aimed to serve our families in a new and fun way, creating more happy memories for our children in care!
We are so grateful for the many community partners who sponsored or helped with this event: Due South BBQ, CC’s Inflatables, Redemption Church (photo booth), Wilkens Miller (volunteer), Crawford Baptist (college volunteers), Kiwanis of Mobile (volunteers), Thrivent Financial (volunteers), Satsuma High School cheerleaders (face paint volunteers), Stillwater Entertainment (DJ), Jennifer Davison Photography (photos)—thank you!
Thank you also to each RAB member that made this event happen: Chase Alford, Jennifer Davison, Beka Dollar, Keenan Dollar, Daniel Givens, Aaron Godwin, Emmie Haynes, Eric Haynes, Erin Holmes, Ryan Ivy, Justin Malone, Elizabeth Mahan, Marc Mahan, Garrett Nelson, Will Stewart, and Chris Taylor.
Learn more ways to volunteer with ABCH here.