A call to action

Photo by Daniel Wallace

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 waiting for a permanent home and/or mentor.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and 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?

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

Maurice, 16

Maurice is an awesome young man who endeavors to put others before himself. He has a natural ability and desire to lead, and he’s often found helping the younger kids at home to perfect their football spiral or three-point shot.

Maurice is respectful and kind, and has a very positive outlook on life. He enjoys science and reading, and his favorite book is “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” by Sherman Alexie.

Although he isn’t totally sure what he’d like to be when he grows up, he thinks he’d make a good football player or coach. Maurice is an easy-going, funny kid who likes to explore new things. He’d be an amazing addition to an active family that’ll give him the consistent love and support he deserves.

If you are interested in knowing more about Maurice 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. The website for One Church One Child of Florida is www.ococfl.org.