One Church One Child of Florida, Inc.: Spotlighting children available for adoption

Children’s Board Heart Gallery Tampa Bay Photo by Daniel Wallace

One Church One Child of Florida is a faith-based, 501(c) 3 organization, operating statewide in partnership with the Department of Children and Families and Local Community Based Lead Agencies and their providers in recruitment of adoptive and foster families and local churches to partner in supporting children in foster care and local families through Church Watch-Care Ministries.

Over 50 percent of the children who need a permanent family are minorities. The series continues featuring children all over Florida who are waiting in foster care for a forever loving family to call their own.

April’s child is highlighted in this article.  Continue to pray 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.

Mario, 17

Mario’s a charismatic, funny young man who makes friends with just about everyone he meets. His openness and friendly nature generally puts him in a position of leadership, which he takes on with confidence, and this attribute is displayed most plainly on the football field.

Mario is a very talented athlete and has aspirations of playing professionally one day.  He also works hard in school and has seen a lot of improvement in his grades this past school year. Mario desires a strong male role model in his life and hopes for a home with not only a father, but older brothers as well.

He would prefer a family of the same race as him. Mario will thrive in a supportive, active home that will help to keep him on the right path and encourage his many abilities.

One Church One Child of Florida is hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tues., April 26 from 11:30–12:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church located at 5920 Robert Tolle Drive in Riverview.  This event will celebrate the grand opening of the new location for our One Church One Child of Florida SunCoast Region office.

Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. There will be information available on adopting, fostering, mentoring, partnering and volunteering.  Please RSVP to LaKay at (813) 740-0210.

If you are interested in knowing more about Mario 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, at (813) 740-0210 or  lakay_fayson@ococfl.org. The website for One Church One Child of Florida is www.ococfl.org.