Challenging communities to seriously consider adopting or mentoring siblings

Photo courtesy of Jessica Fredericks Photography | Sierra, Kaye, Cala, Jimmy & Lillymae

TAMPA BAY — We are experiencing times when children are being taken from their homes and placed in the foster care system at alarmingly high rates. The need for temporary placements is critical until permanency can be achieved.

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 children pictured here and the more than 700 like them who are waiting for a permanent home and or mentor. Many of these children 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?

June’s children highlighted in this article deserve to have a family. Do pray sincerely for them and consider making them a part of your family through adoption or a part of your church through Project Watch-Care for support and mentoring.

Sierra, 15

As is often the case with the eldest child, Sierra has a natural tendency towards caring and advocating for others, and also taking charge! She’s determined to make the most of her future, and she works hard to achieve her goals. When she grows up, Sierra wants to be a nurse, a role she’s well-suited for. Sierra has a sweet, outgoing personality and she’s never met a stranger.

Kaye, 14

Kaye is a sweet, playful young woman with a passionate loyalty towards her siblings. She admires Sierra immensely, and she keeps a watchful eye on the younger kids. Kaye’s an ice cream fanatic, and she loves her friends and a good nap. If she could change anything about herself, she’d choose to be braver, and the thing she wants to do most is travel the entire world!

Cala, 12

Cala thrives when she’s surrounded by people encouraging her to do her best and achieve things she may not think are possible. She’s a hard worker with a funny sense of humor, and she adores her friends and family. Cala longs to be nestled in the safety of a forever family together with her siblings. She’d prefer a home without dogs, as she’s a little afraid of them!

Jimmy, 9

Jimmy’s a lucky little dude in a sea of sisters! He has a heart of gold and the sweetest little personality. He works hard at everything he sets his mind to, whether it’s school or sports, and he’s becoming a talented athlete. Jimmy is friendly and outgoing and loves being part of a team.

Lillymae, 8

Here’s the sweet little caboose to this family train! Lillymae’s full of life and laughter, and she’s a wonderful little girl to be around. She’s been affectionately nicknamed “the jackrabbit” as she rarely slows down. Lillymae is kind and “dainty,” but put her on the soccer field, and you’ve got a whole other kid to contend with! She is a true social butterfly who lights up when she’s around people.

This is a really great group of kids who love each other fiercely. They will thrive together in a two-parent home that can give them the love, structure and encouragement they are so in need of. All of the kids look forward to having a family that cherishes quality time and travel.

If you are interested in knowing more about Sierra, Kaye, Cala, Jimmy, Lillymae and other children in foster care available for adoption, or if you would like to become a foster parent, mentor, partner or volunteer, contact LaKay Fayson, recruitment coordinator for One Church One Child of Florida’s SunCoast Region at (813) 659-4974 or lakay_fayson@ococfl.org.

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