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Caseworker Prayer Guide

The foster care system cannot function effectively without caseworkers who are deeply compassionate and dedicated to their roles and yet caseworkers face the overwhelming demands of the role. And so, we as the Church must…
Holly Gnuse
February 20, 2025
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My Journey To Advocacy

An Introduction I was first interested in becoming an advocate because I wanted to have training and community around foster care. This goes back to my first experiences of adoption and foster care while growing…
Amy Horine
February 13, 2025
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What is a TFI Advocate?

We believe there’s an opportunity found in the spaces where churches and agencies exist. But that doesn’t just happen naturally; someone needs to help bridge the gap between them.
Jami Kaeb
February 8, 2024
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When Foster Care Disappoints You

There, of course, have been circumstances and moments that have been disappointing, but I hadn’t stopped to think about the disappointment I had felt in how the journey differed from my expectations.
Austin Savage
April 6, 2023
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How Foster Care Works

Have you ever wondered how foster care works? Perhaps you are interested in becoming a foster parent or you are curious about the systems to provide care work in this country. Whatever the reason for…
Jami Kaeb
February 23, 2023
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5 Ways to Make Back to School Great

I asked around The Forgotten Initiative’s office for some advice from people who have fostered school-aged kids, and I wanted to share with you some of the advice shared with me (along with some of…
Austin Savage
August 22, 2022
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Let’s Stop Talking and Do Something

Our words are powerful indicators of our hearts. And they hold power to impact others beyond what we might realize. They can bring encouragement or devastation, depending on how you use them.
Jami Kaeb
July 25, 2022
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Moving at the Speed of God

But when it comes to more important things in our lives, in foster care or ministry, waiting for God’s timing can feel difficult to understand. To me, speed would only benefit all parties involved! I…
Quinn Brewer
September 13, 2021
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From a Confused Foster Parent

We’ve passed the two-year mark in our foster care case: two years of navigating goal changes and uncertainty. As foster parents, we’ve attached, released, prepared to say goodbye, and stayed when goodbye didn’t come. We…
Holly Gnuse
July 19, 2021
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Reflecting on 10 Years of Ministry

We just crossed over the ten year mark at The Forgotten Initiative. Ten years of ministry! Crazy, right!? In some ways, it feels like the years have sped by, but at the same time, a…
Jami Kaeb
April 12, 2021
saying-yes-foster-careBlog

What Happens When You Say Yes

Maybe you’re on the edge of involvement. You feel yourself being pulled toward taking action, but you haven’t made it to the point of total surrender yet. I would encourage you to look at the…
Becky Nelson
February 15, 2021
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In Defense of Foster Care Workers

Seeing and experiencing brokenness can lead us to pursue positive, God-directed change in or around us, or it can far too easily bring about misguided anger, frustration, or cause us to become jaded or stuck.
Jami Kaeb
February 1, 2021
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4 Lessons for Every Foster Parent

The learning curve in knowing what to do and say as a foster parent feels steep sometimes. As children in your care are trying to make sense of all that is happening around them, and…
Holly Gnuse
November 5, 2020
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Letting Go When You’re Attached

I suppose there is this moment in every parent’s journey. We know it’s coming at the start. The number of days that your child will grow within the walls of your home is limited. There…
Holly Gnuse
October 15, 2020
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Reunification & Longing for Change

We’re on the cusp of reunification. Here, as we near the end, this isn’t what I thought it would be like. I wanted to feel secure in knowing that the same patterns would not repeat…
Holly Gnuse
October 1, 2020
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Learning How to Love Those in Need

Sometimes, it just feels easier to avoid the mess of foster care. It feels more comfortable not to pursue communication with biological parents. It feels easier to keep everyone else on the team at an…
Becky Nelson
September 28, 2020
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When Grief Hits

Whether you're walking the road towards reunification and you're mourning the loss of a child's presence in your home or you're holding onto each moment knowing that the day they leave is drawing near, grief…
Becky Nelson
September 14, 2020
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For the Agency Workers

For those of us that have interactions with agency workers, we have an important role to play. We cannot be another “challenging” part of their day. We need to be encouraging, full of hope, and…
Jillian Kellenberger
August 27, 2020
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5 Ways to Make Visit Days Great

Visit days are the worst. And visit days are, arguably, one of the most important days for our children. It's paradoxical—much like the rest of foster care—holding two strong emotions in the same breath. If…
Holly Gnuse
August 20, 2020
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Articles for the Hard Seasons

If you’re painfully journeying through a difficult season right know, we see you. Friend, you are heard. Please know, you are NOT alone. It may be hard, but set some intentional time aside to read…
Jillian Kellenberger
August 13, 2020
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3 Powerful Lessons Foster Care Has Taught Me

Foster care has changed me. It's changed our family. Change isn't wrong; in fact, I think this change has been good—though hard—for us. I've had to think about things differently. Here are three powerful lessons…
Jami Kaeb
August 3, 2020
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This Is What Birth Parents Need

I'll never forget the first phone call we shared. She was very nervous, and so was I. She had her stereotypes of folks like me, and I had mine of folks like her, but when…
Jami Kaeb
July 23, 2020
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This Is More Than a Project

I've been part of putting together Journey Bags, Christmas presents, bed builds, and different events we threw for a local agency. I knew these projects were important and that they made a difference in some…
Becky Nelson
July 9, 2020
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Give Yourself This Humility Checkup

For many of us, we've stepped into foster care because we care about people. We care about serving and caring for those around us. Even if you aren't directly involved in the foster care community,…
Mitch Nelson
July 6, 2020
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A Reminder to the Dads

After five and a half years of marriage and no children of our own, the Lord saw it fit to make my wife and I the foster parents of two beautiful little girls. One year…
Holly Gnuse
June 22, 2020
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Down the Road

Parenting is the greatest, yet most difficult thing you’ll ever experience. I don’t know if you’ve heard this said, but it holds true in my life. Parenting is the role in my life where I’ve…
Jillian Kellenberger
June 8, 2020
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Moving Into Summer Like…

We want to encourage you to take some time to sit down and create a vision for this summer with your family—a realistic vision that will not only strengthen the relationships in and around your…
Jillian Kellenberger
May 21, 2020
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How to Love Your Foster Child

How can I love a child who was not born to me? It’s a question often asked, or if not asked out loud, it’s that thought that feels too cold to say but a question…
Jami Kaeb
May 14, 2020
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Do You Have a Minute?

A lot has changed in the last couple months, and to be honest, I think there are some serious consequences to the rapid pace of change we've experienced recently. I know I could use a…
Mitch Nelson
May 11, 2020
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Infertility and Foster Care

I’m encouraged by, feel heavy-hearted for, and praying with friends near and far who have shared their stories of infertility—stories wrought with unbearable pain, stories still unfolding, and stories of incredible loss.
Holly Gnuse
April 27, 2020
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4 Ways You Can Fight Fear

I'm not a medical professional, and I'm not here to report my latest research about COVID-19. But I am here to address what I think is potentially just as dangerous, especially as followers of Jesus,…
Mitch Nelson
March 16, 2020
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Court Is Hard on Foster Parents

Being in court, looking up at a judge, is a stark realization that your child’s life is in the hands of a court system you have no control over. I prayed against feelings of frustration,…
Shannon Spaid
February 3, 2020
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5 Reasons We Love The Foster Care Community

We want to see people everywhere supporting the foster care community and experiencing Jesus together. This isn’t just a great tagline here at The Forgotten Initiative, but it’s the vision we’re passionate about. It drives…
Holly Gnuse
January 23, 2020
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5 Truths for Foster Dads to Remember

Being a foster dad is the most beautiful opportunity to invest in the lives of children who come from hard places. It’s a rewarding, exciting, and purpose-filled experience. But it’s also really hard...
Austin Savage
December 12, 2019
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6 Things That Happen When We Give to God

Whether it's eating healthier, or working out more regularly, one of the best byproducts of starting a new healthy habit is beginning to actually see the results... and the habit of being generous and giving…
Mitch Nelson
December 9, 2019
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Getting Ready to Foster Parent?

I'm sure you're researching, taking notes, organizing, and doing everything you can to prepare for children to soon walk into your life. Or maybe you're past that stage, and you've been waiting…for months and months.…
Jillian Kellenberger
November 21, 2019
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Partnership in Parenting

Parenting. What a journey! Sometimes, it’s the greatest journey I’ve been on; other times, not so much. And what about when my child has multiple people parenting them? How do we manage?
Jillian Kellenberger
November 11, 2019
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Who Do You Love Most?

Foster care is a mix of emotions for us big people. I don’t pretend to know what it’s like for our little people. I just try to look for any clues I can.
Holly Gnuse
November 7, 2019
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When to Foster and What It’s Actually Like

Meet Cherith. She’s married to Brandon, and they have three beautiful daughters and a sweet pup named Cindy Lou. If you’re exploring the idea of becoming a foster parent, keep reading. Cherith answers the questions…
Holly Gnuse
October 28, 2019
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3 Foster Care Posts You Need to Read

Last week we read some really great posts about co-parenting, the really messy reality that foster care is HARD, and a we found a great "thank you" letter that encouraged us a bunch! If you're…
Mitch Nelson
September 26, 2019
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Puke and Peace in Foster Care

Life in foster care—it’s something. We’ve all had that day that just does not go as planned. You’re driving to work—this might not sound like anything special, but trust me, it is. Today’s the first…
Jillian Kellenberger
September 16, 2019
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Hairy Vulnerability

Can I just admit something right now? I don’t really know what I’m doing. You’ve probably noticed. No, strike that. You’ve definitely noticed, and you’ve been kind. Sometimes you’ve shared your honest thoughts. I’m sure…
Holly Gnuse
September 5, 2019
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Does God Care?

Life got interesting in our household a few weeks ago. Two little girls, ages 3 & 4, entered our home and hearts. We love them and yet with all the joy, there are challenges.
Holly Gnuse
July 18, 2019