All About Kensington
There are 13,417 kids in Michigan without families, permanent homes, or anyone to hug them.
That's not okay.
IT'S TIME TO EMBRACE...
Through no fault of their own, thousands of overlooked children are in Michigan's foster care system because of abuse, neglect or safety issues. God is giving us the opportunity to help these precious kids through foster care, adoption or mentoring.
And God is calling Kensington to be part of the solution.
Throughout scripture, God promises to be a father to the fatherless and the way He does that is when we open our hearts and our homes on His behalf. Please join us as we prayerfully consider how God may want us to be a part of this solution.
Michigan Statistics
(Click to view larger image)
"A father to the fatherless... God sets the lonely in families" (Psalm 68:5-6)
EMBRACE THE CHILD Become a foster/adoptive family.
Foster Care
Foster care is a temporary living arrangement for a child that has been removed from their parents' care by a court order. Children are placed into foster care for various reasons. Some children have been abused and/or neglected, some are voluntarily surrendered, and some come into the system after a death in the family when there are no relatives to care for them. Regardless of how a child comes into foster care, the child needs a safe, loving home to nurture them while they are in transition. There are approximately 14,000 children in the Michigan foster care system on any given day. We need your help to let these kids know they are valued and worthy of love. We need caring people to embrace these children and become licensed foster parents.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
Foster Care Adoption
In the United States there are over 137,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted, approximately 3000 of these children live in Michigan. Parental rights have been terminated for all of these children and they wait anxiously for a family to call their own. Our hope is that these kids will not languish in foster care only to age out of the system alone, but that each one will be chosen for adoption and receive the gift of a forever family. We need people to embrace these children and begin the adoption process today.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
EMBRACE THE FAMILY Support for foster/adoptive family.
Family Support
Bringing a new child into your family can be exciting and challenging. Whether the child is a newborn or 17 years old, family dynamics are going change. Our hope is to help foster and adoptive families with some of the obstacles they may encounter and provide them with resources that will help their family thrive. Embrace offers support groups, parenting classes and wrap-around care. Whether you are a foster or adoptive family, we hope you will join us so we can learn from and support one another. If you're someone who can offer your time or skills to assist another family, please be sure to join our Wrap-Around Care Team.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
EMBRACE THE FUTURE Mentor a 14-20 year old child.
Mentoring
Every year in our nation, over 20,000 children waiting to be adopted reach the age of maturity and "age out," or leave the child welfare system without a family or a permanent home to call their own. Statistics show that these young adults are at a significantly higher risk of being homeless, unemployed, parents at an early age, substance abusers or incarcerated. We believe we can change the future of older foster youth (ages 14-20) by engaging in their lives before they age out. We want to look beyond the statistics and focus on individual children who are longing to have someone significant in their lives. We need individuals to embrace the future of these children and become mentors today!
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
RESOURCES
ORGANIZATIONS
Christian Alliance for Orphans http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/
An alliance of churches and organizations advocating for orphans locally and worldwide.
Michigan Department of Human Services http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/
Provides an overview of foster care and foster care adoption in Michigan.
CHILDREN WAITING IN THE UNITED STATES
Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) http://mare.org/
Photo listing of children in foster care that are available for adoption in Michigan.
Adopt US Kids http://adoptuskids.org/
National photo listing of children in foster are waiting for forever families
FOSTER CARE
Foster Care Navigator http://www.fcnp.org
A Michigan resource to navigate the foster care system: agency listings and resource guides.
FOSTER CARE ADOPTION
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/
A national organization that advocates for foster care adoption.
MICHIGAN FOSTER CARE/ADOPTION AGENCIES
Foster Care Navigator http://www.fcnp.org/michigan-foster-care-agencies.html
These agencies support both foster care and adoption.
EMBRACE CLASS SCHEDULE
EMBRACE THE CHILD Become a foster/adoptive family.
Embrace Orientation
You've heard about foster care and adoption, mentoring and wrap-around care, but don't know what it takes or where to start. This informational evening will answer your questions and equip you for your next step.
Classes will resume in the Fall
Are You Being Called?
Join this three-week study and explore adoption and fostering from a biblical perspective, hear candid stories and explore your heart to see if God is calling you to bring a child into your family.
Classes will resume in the Fall
P.R.I.D.E. (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) Orientation
This comprehensive orientation will not only review guidelines, but help illustrate what you can expect as a foster parent. The orientation is a prerequisite to the P.R.I.D.E. training.
Classes will resume in the Fall
P.R.I.D.E. (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) Training
In partnership with the State of Michigan and private agencies, we’re offering a unique opportunity to become a licensed foster parent. Required orientation must precede training.
Classes will resume in the Fall
EMBRACE THE FAMILY Support for foster/adoptive family.
Support Group
Being a parent isn’t easy and navigating the foster care system or adoption process can add another layer to an already challenging journey. Join us as we offer support from child welfare agencies, experts in related fields and share first-hand experiences as foster and adoptive parents. Click here to register.
3rd Thursday of the month
Parenting Class: "Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control"
This 10-week class is a shift from "traditional" parenting and presents the tools to truly provide emotional safety for children with traumatic pasts. This love-based model offers the potential to dramatically change family dynamics and bring peace into a home.
Classes will resume in the Fall
EMBRACE THE FUTURE Mentor a 14-20 year old child.
Mentor Training
Being a mentor can change the life of a child. Come explore this incredible opportunity to make a difference in the life of a foster youth in our community. We have partnered with Orchards Children's Services to deliver the required mentor training. Click here to register at Orchards Children’s Services.
Ongoing
CONTACT US
Have more questions or have information to share?
Email us at embrace@kensingtonchurch.org or call (248)786-0640.
