Each month in Fort Myers, children enter the foster care system because they were victims of serious abuse and neglect in their own homes. They often come into care with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Children in foster care are not someone else’s children, they are our community’s children.
You may have large networks through your career, family, hobbies or church groups. Consider taking the lead for foster kids by sharing this information within your network to encourage people you know to become foster parents.
Did you know Lutheran Services Florida has been serving abused and neglected children in Fort Myers since 2004? We need your help to reach potential foster parents in your church and throughout our community. Please download any of the following material to use in church bulletins, newsletters and on your social media channels. Reach out to leecofoster@lsfnet.org if you can’t find what you are looking for to help promote our need.
Hate to wait? Try waiting for something big, like parents. I want a mom to listen to me. I hope I’ll get a dad who will take me to ball games. A dog would really be nice too. I want parents to take care of me. I want a mom and dad who will be there forever. Becoming foster parents. Maybe it’s what you’ve been waiting for too.
Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide nonprofit organization providing a variety of social service programs touching 1 out of 50 Floridians each year, bringing them healing, hope and help. Specifically in Fort Myers, LSF seeks out foster families for the thousands of children in foster care. LSF recruits, trains, certifies and supports foster families in and near Lee County.
Designed as a temporary placement for children who cannot safely remain with their biological families, foster care provides a necessary and, at times, lifesaving intervention to children who have suffered substantiated incidents of abuse and neglect.
Become a foster parent with LSF, and receive the support you need to provide hope-filled tomorrows for children and youth in your community! Find your role in helping children in foster care by calling 239-461-7651
Many myths surround foster parenting. Please keep these facts in mind as you consider if foster parenting is right for you:
FACT: You may rent or own your home, and you definitely don’t have to be rich. We at LSF ensure that we do our best to support our foster families in every way possible, whether wealthy or not
FACT: Single, partnered, and married people alike can all be great foster parents. (An increasing number of local foster parents are single.)
FACT: You don’t have to have children of your own or past parenting experience, just lots of love for the children you will foster.
FACT: People begin fostering at many different points in life. The only age requirement is that foster parents must be at least 21, and many great foster parents are in their 50s or 60s.
FACT: Many excellent foster parents are part of the LGBTQ community.
Don’t be deceived by foster parenting myths. Contact LSF @ leecofoster@lsfnet.org
Ask yourself the following questions to help decide if foster parenting is right for you. Will you be able to:
Foster parent candidates must:
The biggest requirement to be a foster parent is love – and the desire to help children move past their past.