How to Advocate for Adoption & Foster Care | A Resource Guide

At Woodside, we believe the Church is God’s answer to the global orphan crisis. Scripture calls us to care for vulnerable children in response to God’s care for us (James 1:27a). God calls each of us to make a difference, whether by fostering, adopting, supporting families, or advocating for orphans worldwide. Read on for specific ways you can advocate for adoption and foster care in your daily life:

ATTEND A DISCOVERY MEETING

Woodside is partnering with Lifeline Children’s Services to help you discover your role in the world of adoption and foster care. God calls each of us to make a difference. Sign up for one of our meetings to explore what that looks like for you!

• Romeo – Tuesday 10/28
• Troy – Wednesday 10/29
• Detroit – Sunday 11/02

READ UP ON THE TOPIC

Before You Were Mine: Discovering Your Adopted Child’s Lifestory by Susan Tebos & Carissa Woodwyk
Documenting your adopted child’s past can bring you closer together as a family. Weave a biblical foundation into the center of your child’s story. 

Castaway Kid: One Man’s Search for Hope and Home by Rob Mitchell 
As an orphan, Mitchell didn’t have friends, just “co-survivors.” He became a Christian as a teenager and finally found himself at home in his relationship with God. 

Do I Belong? Reassuring Kids Adopted from Foster Care by Carey Koenig
Helping children realize that being adopted is awesome! 

Faith to Foster by TJ and Jenn Menn 
The Menns share the joys and challenges of their journey in foster care. They encourage readers to consider how God might be calling them to come alongside hurting children. 

Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn by Jason Weber 
This children’s book brings hope to those waiting for a forever family. It’s based on the true story of “344 people working together to solve a big, big, big problem.” 

Handbook on Thriving as an Adoptive Family by Focus on the Family
Gain insight into vital issues such as attachment and bonding, sibling and extended family relationships, past abuse, nurture and discipline, and how to develop a support network. 

Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care by Tony Merida and Rick Morton         
Along with sharing their families’ adoption stories, Merida and Morton offer steps for adopting, assisting orphans in transition, engaging in foster care, partnering with faith-based fostering agencies, and becoming orphan hosts. 

Small Town, Big Miracle by Bishop W.C. Martin
“God challenged the members of Bennett Chapel to adopt seventy-two of the toughest kids in the foster care system. [The community was] determined to give the kids something they had never experienced—the power of redemptive love.” 

The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family by Dr. Karyn Purvis, Dr. David Cross, and Wendy Sunshine 
For parents who have welcomed children from other countries and cultures, from troubled backgrounds, and with special behavioral or emotional needs. 

Upside Down by Shannon Guerra
“Understanding and supporting attachment in adoptive families.” 

Walk to Beautiful by Jimmy Wayne 
“The power of love and a homeless kid who found the way.” 

When Invisible Children Sing by Dr. Chi Huang 
A true story of five street children, an idealistic young doctor, and their dangerous hope. 

WATCH AN EDUCATIONAL VIDEO

Why Adoption Matters to Everyone | Four-Part Series on The Link 

Foster Care: Making a Difference During the Formative Years | Jon & Dawn Stone 

Foster Care: How Everyone Can Help | Jason Johnson 

Adopting in the Empty Nest Years | Terrie Morrow 

CHECK OUT A RESOURCE PDF

Adoption and Orphan Care Resource Kit
This guide can help you make a difference in the life of a waiting child. 

Attachment in Adoption 
Emotional, psychological, behavioral, or learning difficulties in children who were adopted or in foster care are nearly always related to issues of attachment—especially when there’s been neglect or abuse. 

Hope & Healing for Sensory Deprivation
Understand how to parent children with a history of trauma. 

Hope & Healing Through Animal-Assisted Therapy
Use children’s love of animals to help them overcome a history of trauma. 

Love and Loss in Foster Care
Learn to navigate the fear, heartache, and joy inherent to the uncertain journey of foster care and adoption. 

Preparing for a Transracial Adoption
Considerations to keep in mind when adopting a child of another race. 

SPONSOR A CHILD

The Akha House of Light in Thailand 

In Northern Thailand, many Akha children face poverty, abandonment, and displacement. Our global partners, Akha John and his wife Nut, responded to this need by founding the Akha House of Light in 2003—a safe, Christ-centered home for over 60 at-risk children. Through your sponsorship, a child receives housing, food, education, healthcare, and the life-changing hope of the Gospel. Become a monthly sponsor. 

The It’s a Girl Centers in India 

In parts of India, girls are often seen as burdens. Our partners, Mano and Sheila, launched “It’s a Girl” in 2016 to change that narrative. Today, 10 church-based centers across Southern India care for over 150 girls aged 0–3—providing food, medical care, toiletries-centered care, all while keeping them with their families. Become a monthly sponsor. 

GIVE TOWARD THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

At Woodside, we’re committed to advocating for life at every stage, which is why we partner with local pregnancy centers, organizations that work with the economically disadvantaged, anti-trafficking ministries, and more. Donate to Woodside’s Sanctity of Life fund.

PRAY CONSISTENTLY

• Ask God how He wants you to respond to the global orphan crisis. 
• Pray for children worldwide who are orphaned or in foster care.

SUPPORT ADOPTIVE/FOSTER CARE FAMILIES 

• Bless foster/adoptive families by inviting them for a meal (or gifting them a meal), babysitting, meeting their financial needs, or making home repairs. 

• Provide respite care for foster and adoptive parents. 

• Encourage foster/adoptive families with a note, card, or conversation.  

• Support birth moms with notes and care packages. 

ENGAGE LOCALLY 

• Join or start a foster care/adoption support group at your church or school. 

• Partner with local agencies—host info meetings, seminars, or open houses. 

• Thank/encourage social workers and organizations serving vulnerable children. March is Social Work Awareness month. 

• Support and volunteer at a local organization (see Woodside’s partner organizations below). 

USE YOUR SKILLS 

• Offer vocational skills (trades, expertise, or professional services) to support families and help them get their house ready for a home study. 

• Mentor youth in foster care. 

• Employ youth aging out of foster care.  

• Support education, poverty alleviation, and parenting programs. 

• Promote/support in-country adoption and sustainable community development. 

• Help care for birth moms and moms in crisis. 

• Train leaders and plant churches in areas that are difficult to strengthen families. 

• Add adoption/foster care resources to your company website. 

• Create resources—books, seminars, or awareness campaigns to share stories. 

WOODSIDE’S PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: 

Lifeline Children’s Services equips and resources the Church to care for vulnerable children and families. They walk alongside adoptive families as ministry partners and offer on-ramps for adoption, fostering, and outreach to at-risk families. Their Michigan branch is in Royal Oak. 

House of Providence exists to equip Michigan communities to serve our most vulnerable children and families until every child has a home. They are based in Oxford, MI. 

Clara’s Hope helps families achieve success in foster care and adoption. Serving Livingston and Genesee Counties, they bridge the gap between families and agencies by providing essential resources, guidance, and community support. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

Christian Alliance for Orphans 

Focus on the Family