• World Refugee Day 2020: Every action counts

    June 18, 2020 · 2020 World Refugee Day,Migration Ministries

    World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20 to raise awareness of refugees, their challenges, strength, and resiliency. Saint Francis Ministries works with numerous partners, communities, and individuals to help create a more inclusive world. At the end of 2019, more than 79.5 million people had fled their homes to get away from persecution, war, violence, and human rights violations. Everyone can make a difference.

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    As Long as I Can Rock in the Rocking Chair

    May 27, 2020 · Foster Family Features

    When asked, John just smiles and shrugs his shoulders. “No, we’ve never had any problems with it at all,” he says. “It’s been a big part of our lives, and we really have enjoyed it.” After 43 years of foster parenting, John and Debra Holt say they can’t recall one negative experience - although their response might have more to do with the Tulsa couple’s outlook on life than anything else. They have cared for more than 400 children over the years, and each new child who comes into their home still feels like the first. And each child receives the same care, attention, and unconditional love as the hundreds who came before. “We can’t imagine our life without it,” says John.

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    “Our purpose was to help others, help kids.”

    May 18, 2020 · Foster Family Features

    After fostering children for more than a decade, Kevin and Lori still don’t believe they’re anything special. They’ve simply done what they were supposed to do. It’s how they were raised. “It’s what we were brought up to do,” said Lori. “We give back, first to family, then to friends and the community. Always give back.” You could say their foster care journey started more than 15 years ago when they assumed legal guardianship of Lori’s 4-year-old niece, and 5-year-old nephew. They didn’t even think about it. As far as the Salina, Kansas, couple was concerned, the children were family and they needed help. So, they took in the two little ones and began raising them as their own. About four years into it, they began having conversations with Kevin’s cousin, a licensed foster parent. “He told us about all these kids who needed homes,” said Lori. “So, Kevin and I talked about it for several months and then decided to go ahead and get licensed ourselves.”

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    U.S. Capitol building

    Policy & Advocacy: FFPSA resources

    May 3, 2020 · Advocacy

    Saint Francis Ministries is active on the state and federal level in the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act, the Family First Transition Act and other changes that shift the way the nation is looking at serving vulnerable children and families. 

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    FFPSA could help states with pandemic

    The Coronavirus Pandemic: Leveraging Federal Child Welfare Programs

    April 23, 2020 · Advocacy,Coronavirus,Ministry News

    Even as the world works diligently to contain the COVID-19 physical health crisis, child welfare leaders are recognizing the mental health crisis and trauma that puts families, children and communities at risk. School closures, social distancing measures, economic impacts and escalating stresses that can increase domestic and child abuse or neglect is creating a mental health crisis that will likely have long-term impacts.

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