It’s that time of year again! As you may know, we open applications to become a TFI Advocate only a couple times each year, and this November is one of those opportunities. If you’re considering applying, today’s episode is the perfect chance to learn more about what becoming a TFI Advocate journey really looks like.
That’s because we have the special treat of hearing from one of our most recently launched Advocates, Justin Meehan.
Justin and his wife have been foster parents for the last three years. Currently, they have three biological children and a soon-to-be adopted son. Justin is a newly launched TFI Advocate in Rochester, NH, where he is bridging the gap between his church and the local state foster care agency.
In this episode, you’ll hear what kind of support and community TFI Advocates receive, how seeing the struggles caseworkers are facing firsthand opened Justin’s eyes to their unmet needs, why answering just one question for your local church can help them get involved in foster care, and so much more.
- Apply to become a TFI Advocate
- Connect with Justin on his TFI Page
- Give to The Forgotten Initiative
- Foster Care & the Church
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.
God often calls us to do things that move us out of our comfort zone and into the unknown. In these times, we must evaluate what we can remove from our lives (excessively binging TV shows, spending money on frivolous things, etc.) so we can free up time and space to get involved where God is at work. When we move toward the uncomfortable, we are forced to depend on God, and in these moments, He will do incredible things to help us. When we trust Him, we can thrive in new ways, turning our fear into excitement.
“I knew that God was preparing me to step into something that was uncomfortable.”
2. You are not alone.
You are probably already aware of the countless areas in which foster parents and agency workers need resources, encouragement, and more. But you’re just one person, and helping these people can feel like a daunting task to undertake alone. You may even wonder where to begin or how much of an impact you can make by yourself. The good news is that you are not alone! There are people all across the country who are advocating for the foster care community. Becoming a TFI Advocate is just one way you can join a team in the greater effort to make a difference.
“I don’t have to do this on my own. I can apply to be an Advocate, and then I get all the benefits of a national organization.”
3. Agency workers need encouragement too.
Caseworkers often feel invisible at best and villainized at worst. But when we take a deeper look at what their day-to-day responsibilities actually are, we can see that they care deeply about children and families. In fact, they often neglect their own needs and self-care because of how committed they are to serving others. In order to care for the foster care community, we need to care for each and every person who keeps it running. Agency workers also need breaks, love, and encouragement.
“These caseworkers are so focused on kids and the families that they don’t have a chance to focus on the self-care they need to get through what can really be a difficult job.”
Meet Our Guest
Justin Meehan is a foster parent, soon-to-be adoptive parent, and a newly launched TFI Advocate in Rochester, NH. He has been married for over 22 years, and he and his wife have three biological kids and a soon-to-be adopted son. They live in Strafford, NH with their two dogs, a cat, and 16 chickens. When they aren’t selling chicken eggs, they enjoy doing outdoor activities together as a family.
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