Grassroots: Fostering Care

Every follower of Jesus is called to a common mission – to show & share the Good News of Jesus. But this may look completely unique for each one of us. Sometimes the Holy Spirit prompts us to take action and meet a need.  This is the story of someone who said ‘yes’ to the prompting. 

 A few years ago Lisa Klinck became a Foster Parents, and now her passion has expanded to include increasing awareness and advocacy for the foster community. 

Can you tell us more about your Grassroots Initiative?

I worked alongside some other foster parents in our Compass Point community to host a fostering awareness lunch back in November. Our vision was to expand awareness and advocacy for the vulnerable children and families we serve here in our region.

How did God put a passion for vulnerable children in your heart?

Although foster parenting was not on our radar, God began to call our family to this work during the pandemic. God gently but clearly helped us count the emotional, relational and financial cost of what it might look like to provide a safe, nurturing home to kids in our own community. God transformed our hearts to break for that which breaks his, and very clearly called us to work alongside him in caring for these vulnerable children and families.

Obedience to his call and his ways brings unexplainable joy despite the many unknowns and great heartache we encounter along the way. It’s a hard calling, but we can’t unsee what God has shown us and turn a blind eye. We know Jesus and his way, and he continues to strengthen and transform us as we follow him in it.

What inspired or prompted you towards this specific awareness initiative?

When we first became foster parents, we had no idea the need was so great. Becoming a foster parent has opened our eyes to this often hidden group of vulnerable people in our community.

In 2023, there were 133 children in care in Halton region and only 25 foster homes. And when I heard those statistics, I realized the math doesn’t add up. As I explored the implications of these numbers – these numbers which represent children and youth, made in the image of God and deeply loved by him, experiencing what is most likely the hardest time of their lives – my heart ached even more.

When a child is in need of a foster home and one isn’t available in their community, child welfare workers look to find a foster home outside of the region. So that means these children not only experience loss of their home and family, but also their larger community. Loss is heaped upon loss, as geography separates these kids from their schools, and their sports, and their clubs, and their friends, and their faith communities.

People are usually shocked when they hear these numbers and we all should be. Most people want to know how to help, but often don’t know where to start. I know God has not only called us to be foster parents, but to become advocates for this community and boldly pray that more Jesus followers would stand in the gap for the sake of these precious kids. I knew Compass Point could help, so I submitted a Grassroots Initiative application.

What were some of your hopes or goals for this event?

Our overarching goal was to increase awareness and advocacy around the local need for foster parents, and also to highlight some tangible ways to support the child welfare foster community in Halton. Specifically, we were praying for 30 people to attend the event, for one person or household to either take a next step towards the foster care process or initiate action to support the foster community, and to hear from at least one child welfare worker who felt supported and encouragement by the initiative.

How was Compass Point able to come alongside and support you?

Compass Point came alongside us by providing the physical space for our gathering, helping with the costs of refreshments, creating and printing personal invitation postcards, and including our initiative in the eNews. Most importantly, I received encouragement to listen to the Holy Spirit, dream his dreams, and step out in faith.

How did it go? 

It went amazingly well. I think there were about 25 in attendance and I had a number of follow up conversations with those who expressed interest, but were unable to attend on that particular day. We had a lot of authentic conversation, sharing stories and asking questions, with active participation from a broad age range of people, and a time of prayer. It was remarkable to see God at work in the hearts and lives of those present, as he met us in ways I couldn’t have even imagined.

What are some of the practical or ongoing outcomes that resulted?

Out of this initiative, I have connected with 3 households in our Compass Point family who are considering whether God might be calling them into fostering. Together, we are attending an event at the end of the month to explore those next steps. There are also people who are taking next steps towards other volunteer opportunities including becoming a mentor or a volunteer driver for children in care. Others are starting to consider new and creative ways they can support the foster community, either as individuals or as community groups – things like writing encouragement cards, providing meals, and sharing or storing equipment and supplies that foster parents often need. Finally, we were able to send thank you cards to the 7 child welfare workers that are connected to our current foster families at Compass Point.

How have you seen God at work through all of this?

All the brave next steps that people in our church family are taking is a testament to his activity. These are hard things to take even a small step towards because of the radical hospitality and sacrifice that are required. I am in awe of the way God is working in our Compass Point family. The response from the workers after receiving the thank you cards is also a sign of God’s activity. These workers have incredibly hard jobs to do. Day in and day out, they deal with really hard stuff. I heard from so many of them, things like “you made my day” and “I can’t tell you how much this means to me”. We are also starting to hear questions about what is happening at our church and words of thanks as we seek to help expand awareness and advocacy. And lastly, our foster families here at Compass Point are feeling a little less isolated than we were a few months ago. God is clearly at work.

Any follow up plans in the works?

I am in ongoing conversation with many who are praying and considering how to get involved. Some have expressed interest in additional training and awareness activities, and I am exploring the possibility of other organizations joining us for a future event. I love getting a front row seat to witness God at work, transforming hearts and moving his people to help step up in a way that our community so desperately needs.

If people are curious about supporting vulnerable children or foster families, how can they find out more?

I am still learning, but I welcome conversation with anyone who wants to know more. Feel free to email me at klincklisa@gmail.com to arrange a time to connect.