Forward in Hope Archives • Page 6 of 6 • Saint Francis Ministries

Through Adoption and Kinship Care, the Reeds stand out: The 2022 Kinship Family of the Year shares their struggles, joys

June 2022 · Forward in Hope, Foster Family Features

Melissa and Michael Reed’s foster parenting story began more than 20 years ago, and it’s through foster care that they’ve built their family. It’s also led them to the path they now travel – one which they never could have predicted or planned. After adopting their daughter in 2002 when she was just four years old, they proceeded to adopt four more children who now range in ages from 13 to 24.

June 2022 · Forward in Hope, Foster Family Features

High school sweethearts, Melani and Colton have lived in Pleasanton all their lives. It’s home in the most meaningful of ways because they are connected to the community through extended family, former classmates, and the neighbors they’ve known since they were kids. Theirs is not an unusual story in that regard. But shortly after their marriage five years ago, it became plain that their lives would be anything but usual.

May 2022 · Forward in Hope, Foster & Kinship Care

If you’ve followed Saint Francis Ministries’ social media activity at all this month, you may have noticed several stories about foster and kinship parents. They form the foundation of everything we do here – providing healing and hope to children and families. So, during Foster Care Month, we like to share their stories, as well as their thoughts about how fostering has changed their lives. And it does change lives.

May 2022 · Forward in Hope, Trauma

Meet TIM! He’s the new mascot for our Trauma Informed Matters initiative, highlighting our focus on understanding the impacts of trauma and how we provide support and services to those affected.

May 2022 · Forward in Hope

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

April 2022 · Forward in Hope

“Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said.” Matthew 28: 5-6. I find it interesting that in each of the four Gospels, followers of Jesus are told in one way or another to fear not, that they have no reason to feel afraid or alarmed. They quickly learn that all is well … that all has been made new.