A call to action

Photo by Jonathan Ridgely

TAMPA BAY – One Church One Child of Florida challenges communities to seriously consider adopting or mentoring children in need of a forever home. Do you have room in your heart for a child or siblings in need of a family?

This is an urgent and important question that must be raised time and time again, but each time there is a different child or children. One Church One Child of Florida is reaching out to families and individuals in local communities across the state in efforts to help share the truth that the child pictured here and others like him are.

Daily, over 700 children are in need of a family to call their own, many of them are minorities.  Can you provide a loving, permanent home for these children or other children like them or consider becoming their mentors?

Churches are asked to partner with One Church One Child in sharing information with congregations and extending Watch-Care Ministries to children.  Rev. Beverly Hills Lane, state president for One Church One Child of Florida and vice president for National One Church One Child, is challenging fellow pastors to get involved and encouraging families to open their hearts and homes to children in foster care.

These series of articles feature children located in communities across the state; they have no family identified to adopt them, will you take the challenge of opening your home and family to parenting them?

January’s child is highlighted in this article; she too deserves to have a family.  Do pray sincerely for him and consider making him a part of your family through adoption or a part of your church through Project Watch-Care, for support and mentoring.

Ashanti, 15

Little Ashanti has many obstacles to overcome every day. And every day, for all of her 15 years, she has tackled these obstacles with strength and tenacity – and a big smile.

She loves interactive toys and being talked to, listening to music and watching television. Welcoming Ashanti into your family will be different than other 15-year-old girls, but having this sweet soul in your life is an indescribable joy.

She carries with her warmth and serenity and she deserves the love and consistency of a forever family. Ashanti will do best in a nurturing, supportive home able to care for her medical needs.

If you are interested in knowing more about Ashanti and other children in foster care available for adoption, or if you would like to become a foster parent, mentor, partner or volunteer, please contact LaKay Fayson, recruitment coordinator for One Church One Child of Florida’s SunCoast Region, at (813) 740-0210 or lakay_fayson@ococfl.org.

Log on to www.ococfl.org for more information.