Thousands Pray for U.S. Foster Care Kids and Workers

“Many kids in foster care feel like they don’t have a prayer…we want to change that.” - Paul Pennington, executive director of Hope for Orphans

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 14, 2010— On any given day, more than 500,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system (source: The AFCARS Report, 2008).  Each year, approximately 20,000 foster care children "age out" of the U.S. foster care system without an adoptive family (source: FosterCareMonth.org). 

May 16-23, in coffee shops, parks, homes and churches, Americans nationwide will gather to pray for the needs of the children, workers and families of the foster care system.

"We want foster care kids to know that they are loved and valued," said Paul Pennington, executive director of Hope for Orphans, a ministry of FamilyLife. 

For the third year, Focus on the Family, Hope for Orphans, and Show Hope (formerly known as Shaohannah's Hope, a ministry founded by award-winning musician Steven Curtis Chapman) are partnering to sponsor the 2010 National Foster Care Prayer Vigil.  

There is still time to participate.  Through FosterCarePrayerVigil.org, people can access downloadable materials to help them organize, promote and facilitate their own prayer events. 

"The format of the prayer gathering is not important. It can be an informal time with your family at home-or it can be much more elaborate," said John Moore, 2010 National Foster Care Prayer Vigil coordinator.  "What's important is that Christians are praying for these kids and the adults who impact their lives."

In 2009, more than 220 prayer vigils were held in 47 states.

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Coverage Opportunities

• Point readers toward a prayer vigil in their area through this Google Map.
• Link to CryoftheOrphan.org for tips, tools, facts and stories that offer inspiration and instruction on responding to the orphan crisis.

• John Moore, 2010 National Foster Care Prayer Vigil coordinator
• Scott Hasenbalg, executive director of Show Hope (founded by Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman)
• Paul Pennington, executive director of Hope for Orphans (a ministry of FamilyLife)

• Kelly Rosati, senior director of the Sanctity of Human Life Division at Focus on the Family and an adoptive mom

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Stats

• On any given day, more than 500,000 children are in the U.S.  foster care system (source: The AFCARS Report, 2008)

• Each year, 20 percent of foster care children "age out" of the U.S. foster care system without an adoptive family (source: FosterCareMonth.org)

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Quotes

Scott Hasenbalg, executive director, Show Hope

• "If we want to be God's hands and feet extended outside of the four walls of the church, it is critical to reach those on the inside of the four walls and make the unaware, aware." 

Paul Pennington, executive director, Hope for Orphans (a ministry of FamilyLife)

• "The Bible repeatedly makes it clear that caring for orphans is not an option for Christians."

Kelly Rosati, senior director, Sanctity of Human Life Division (Focus on the Family)

• "With 127,000 waiting kids in US foster care and 300,000 churches, we believe every waiting child should be able to have the loving home and family they deserve."
  

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About Cry of the Orphan

Cry of the Orphan is an annual campaign, led by Hope for Orphans (a ministry of FamilyLife), Focus on the Family, and Show Hope, designed to raise awareness and prompt action to help the more than 140 million orphans worldwide.

CryoftheOrphan.org is designed to raise interest and excitement about caring for orphans, and offers resources to help people navigate through the orphan care, adoption and foster care process.  Utilizing the resources of Hope for Orphans/FamilyLife, Focus on the Family and Show Hope, Cry of the Orphan shares ways EVERY person can have an impact on the life of an orphan.

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