We have an immediate need in our community. More than 11,000 children in Indiana are living in foster care, but only about 5,000 families are willing and approved to care for these children. 

Children in the Indianapolis area have usually gone to the Children’s Guardian Home when a foster home was not available, but on June 30, 2009, the Home will be closing. The Department of Child Services has asked Bethany to recruit foster families to take in teenagers with significant behavioral problems.

As you can imagine, it takes a special family to take in a troubled teen. If the family already has children, the parents have to think of the safety of their children too. If we cannot find foster homes for some children, they will be placed in a juvenile detention center or other residential treatment institution. Your financial support will allow us to recruit and train additional families to care for these challenging and highly vulnerable kids.

Because these abused/neglected kids have been removed from their families by protective services, their critical needs must be met so they may “get back in the game.”  They need love, guidance, and a stable environment.

Without loving parents and a stable home, these youth will age-out of the foster care system and be counted among the national statistics: only about 50% will graduate from high school; 20% will become homeless; and 25% will be incarcerated within 2 years. Some kids may turn to crime or drugs to survive.

Will you join me by making a gift by 12/31/09 to help raise $25,000? I’m starting with my personal gift of $1,200.  Here are a few great ways your gift can help right now:  

$30 could provide Transportation to help one child continue to attend the same school.

$120 could help Recruit Foster/Adoptive Parents.

$500 could help with Preserving the Placement of a Deeply Wounded Child with post-placement support, so the child and family can remain together.

God can accomplish abundantly more than we could ever imagine through the simple act of people coming together to “Give Kids a Shot.” Please share this information with 5 friends so they can also become a part of this important work. It’s so easy to link this webpage to your Facebook page or to send the link in an e-mail.

LINK:   http://www.firstgiving.com/helpingIndianaKids

Please call us toll-free at 1.866.851.2534 if you’d like to know more, or to pledge and send your gift via check.

God Bless You,
Linda Wrestler
Director, Bethany Indiana