Many churches want to help solve the foster crisis, but they don’t know where to begin – that is where Florida 1.27 has been making an impact since 2015. Florida 1.27’s easy-to-implement program equips churches in the Tampa Bay area to connect and support families in the child welfare system, and to share the love of Christ with vulnerable families.
MISSION
Florida 1.27 is a movement of churches and individuals taking action together to radically change the foundation of the child welfare system in Florida.
[Photo] The Strawser family pioneered and are currently running this ministry in Florida!
VISION
Florida 1.27 partners with churches to engage the community to care for vulnerable children. With a strategic focus on recruiting, equipping, and providing ongoing support, Florida 1.27 works toward fulfilling its vision of having more than enough foster, kinship care, and adoptive families trained, supported, and available to care for these children in the Tampa Bay area.
FAMILY ADVOCACY MINISTRIES
Impact is made via Florida 1.27 by the creation of Family Advocacy Ministries, or FAM’s on local church campuses. FAMs create much-needed support for foster, kinship care, adoptive families, and biological families in crisis. We equip interested church members on how to build and lead a successful FAM, with a focus on foster care, within the local church so we can help provide what vulnerable children need most – strong families. These FAM’s are outfitted with people who meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the family through prayer, food prepping, tutoring, and more!
CAREPORTAL
In every community, there are children and families at a point of crisis who need help. In those same communities, there are churches and people who care and want to take action. Florida 1.27 utilizes CarePortal, a technology platform that connects vulnerable children and families to people who have something to give. Social workers uncover the needs and then CarePortal makes local churches aware, giving them real-time opportunities to respond.
Visit the website for ways YOU can get involved, along with helpful advice, training times, real-life stories and more.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27
These photos capture what happens when caring individuals answer CarePortal requests, allowing tangible needs to be met! Whether families need cars repaired or furniture in their home, individuals, churches, and businesses are making a difference in the lives of so many in the Tampa Bay area.
