Fostering Families, Fostering Babies, Fostering HOPE

“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you

and notto harm you, to give you a hope and a

future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

A Big Problem…

The plight of homeless, poverty-stricken children around the world

is well known…

But few realize the suffering of the

thousands of babies and young toddlers right here in Oklahoma.

Currently, there are more than 10,500 children in the Oklahoma

Child Welfare System.

Some 1600 of these children are infants and young toddlers right here in

Oklahoma County.

In Oklahoma County, there are less than 300 regular foster families.

Due to this shortage of homes, Oklahoma infants and toddlers are bounced from foster home to shelter and back again.

On average, an Oklahoma infant in foster care will live in 5 places…

BEFORE his or her FIRST BIRTHDAY.

The lasting emotional damage inflicted upon these children is unspeakable.

Never having a “mommy” or “daddy”…

…and all too often they will never establish the healthy emotional bond God intended with a mother.

These babies grow up never having a place to call home…

“ Religion that God, our Father, accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and

widows in their distress…”James 1:27

A Tiny Solution…

On January 1st, 2007, one very tiny, very sick little baby girl entered the world, weighing just under 3 lbs, at the Oklahoma County Jail. She would soon become the inspiration for a “tiny little idea” that the Lord soon grew into something greater than anyone could have expected.

“…love the Lord your God and walk in all his ways…serve Him with all your heart and all your

soul.” Joshua 22:5

The Anna’s House Foundation exists to improve the lives of babies in foster care in

the following ways… Recruitment and retention of Christian foster homes committed to long-term care of infants and toddlersMaintaining a network of families,

medical professionals, social servicesand other resources to serve foster families caring for babies

Providing these families with housing, support, resources and the means for adoption when reunification with the family is not possible

What Now?

“Let us not become weary

in doinggood, for at the proper time we

will reap a harvest if we do not give

up.” Galatians 6:9

If one family…from every Oklahoma church…

opened ONE bed……every Oklahoma children’s shelter

would be empty tonight.

“The harvest

is plentiful, but the workers

are few.” -Matthew

9:37

What Now?

“…for what you have done unto the least of these,you do unto me.”

--Matthew 25:40

http://www.annashousefoundation.org

/

The Anna’s House FoundationP.O Box 21111

Oklahoma City, OK 73156

“What Now” words and music by Steven Curtis Chapman, © 2004 Sparrow Records

PowerPoint by Caroline Harkins