Story of Impact: It Wasn’t About the Bath Towels

I want to share a story that went out to our donors in a partnership email recently. The story was too good to keep it to ourselves.

It’s a story about something seemingly ordinary and simple: bath towels. But when you look a little deeper, it conveys so much more. A simple act from one of our TFI Advocates led to agency workers feeling seen, supported, and loved by Jesus. This is what the work we do is all about!

Check out this video for the full story:

It Began With a Need Being Noticed

On this particular day, our TFI Advocate noticed that this agency had a shower that children could use when they come into care or if they needed to spend a night at the agency, but they only had hand towels to offer children to dry off with. They didn’t have any bath towels.

Upon seeing this, our Advocate headed to Target, picked up some bath towels, and brought them back to the agency. It was a simple gift, but it led to a powerful response. The workers were overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude.

But it wasn’t about the towels: So many of our nation’s foster care workers are struggling. They are overwhelmed and under-resourced. These towels were a tool to show the workers at this agency that they were seen, loved, and cared for.

The Deeper Meaning

The towels were just one tangible way to show the children and agency workers that they were loved by God. This is the very heart of what our Advocates do: As they come alongside agencies to assess needs and look for ways to engage local churches in those needs, they listen, they learn, and they seek to understand.

Every day, we have an opportunity to help the foster care community experience the love of Jesus through the Church as Advocates are working to understand and meet real, felt needs. YOU can help us make moments like this possible.

Agency workers know of so many needs throughout the foster care community, but they don’t always know where to turn.
Churches care deeply, but they don’t always know how to get started.
TFI Advocates bridge the gap and say, “We’re here to help you.”

But we can’t do this alone:

Take Action

There are two important ways you can help. The first is to consider partnering with us to make stories like this one possible through a financial gift of any amount.

The second is to consider becoming a TFI Advocate. We only open applications a couple times each year, and they will open up again in June! TFI Advocates help bridge the gap between churches and agencies. They develop trusted relationships with the agency by listening and learning. They then work with church leaders, pointing out ways the church can utilize their gifts by coming alongside the agency.⁠

If you are someone who loves Jesus, wants to show His love to others, and wants to encourage workers in local foster care agencies, then consider applying to become a TFI Advocate. You can learn more and sign-up to be notified once applications open in June here.