Jenessa & JJ’s Story

Imagine every morning before school, you pack your suitcase. You’re used to never returning home, even at the young age of three. So you wake up, gather all of your belongings, and carry them with you so that you will always be ready for the next house, the next people, the next bed where you know you will sleep for just one night. 

 

It’s like that feeling when you wake up in the middle of the night at a friend’s house or in a hotel and you think: Where am I? Except the question doesn’t get answered and is just followed by another one: Where am I going next? Your mind and body go on high alert, sensitive to any sign of change, because you know there’s always another move just around the corner. You don’t eat or even look at your foster “family” because… what’s the point?

But it’s been two weeks, and you’ve woken up in the same house and in the same bed for 14 days in a row. Your foster parents, Amy and Hank LaPorte, have been there every morning to say good morning and offer you breakfast. For a moment, you feel relief in the routine, but not enough to eat. Your heart sinks when you learn your foster mom and dad are taking in another child which means even more change.

Then the front door opens and the light pours in. This other child? This change? It’s your big sister! You look at the LaPortes in disbelief, your grin stretching from ear to ear as you hug your sister. Here she is! You might not be at home, but being here with your big sister feels a little bit like home. In that moment you feel loved and maybe even a little bit hopeful…

Today in Central Florida, there are more kids needing foster families than there are families to receive them.  As you’re reading this, a group of 20-30 local kids are wondering where they’ll sleep tonight because there simply aren’t enough foster families.

Did you know that over 50% of foster parents quit after their first placement? When caring people like you from churches wrap around families with meals, support, babysitting and love, 96% of foster families foster longer and stronger.

Imagine the difference it would make for kids like Sebashtian and his sister if there were more than enough well-supported foster families. You can make that difference…

Most siblings don’t get to stay together. In fact, 44% are split up when placed in foster care.  Imagine the difference of more than enough well-supported foster families like the LaPortes. You can make that difference…

Commission 127 equips local churches to support foster, adoptive and biological families in crisis through a Family Advocacy Ministry (FAM).  The LaPorte family was wrapped around with a care community from Grace Church Oviedo, led by Michelle Stewart, as they’ve opened their home to more children.

JJ and Jenessa's story ended well, as they were reunited with their biological father and continue spending their weekends with Daddy Hank and Mommy Amy.

Can you help more kids like JJ and Jenessa by GIVING to C127 to equip churches to support more families?

When you give, you: 

  • equip more volunteers, 

  • help families foster longer and stronger, 

  • recruit new foster families to open their homes,

  • launch more church partnerships.

Do you want to make sure other kids like JJ and Jenessa have a safe loving family available when their world turns upside down? You can by making a gift to Commission 127 today. 

  • $5,140 can help launch a FAM at a church.

  • $127 per month can help children experience the love of a family.

  • $27 per month can help purchase a bunk bed to keep siblings together.

Will you please prayerfully consider giving today? 


Thank you for being you - kind, caring and compassionate. We are so grateful that when kids from hard places are in need, they can count on people like you.