Sink or Float

         1/3 of all foster children that return home unfortunately go back into the system within a few years. This fact breaks my heart. I hate to think that one out of three of my foster kiddos will return into this heartbreaking world of foster care. There has to be a way to change that number. I believe one of the major things to help is support for families. Most of the families are single moms.  A lot of those single moms are ones that had to leave a rough situation to start on their own two feet in order to get their kids back. The system asks these moms to leave their "bad situations" with their husbands/boyfriends, find a new place to live, a job and to support themselves. Once they do those things they put their kids into the mix and ask them to survive with no help or support. To me we are asking those women to return to bad situations just to survive.

Since arriving in Charleston we have had the blessing of being introduced to an organization called Maia Moms. The Lord is always amazing in how He works. We got introduced to them before being fully involved in foster care. Little did we know we would be heavily relying on their amazing ministry to help moms that are in our lives through foster care. As we process Little Lady M to go home I know her mom is trying her best, she is doing everything she is able. She has found a job and a place to live. Unfortunately with little funds and no family/support she is in a very rough area in a very small one bedroom apartment for her and three girls. After speaking to the social worker today she was in tears after leaving moms home because of the area she lives in and how small the quarters. She said "I'm just so sad, but she is doing the best she can". I just imagine throwing three girls into her mix in three weeks and asking her to float. It just doesn't make sense to me. Every ounce of me doesn't want Little Lady M to be a part of that 1/3 of kids, I also don't want her mom to run to a rough man to help support her, but puts her kids in harm. Thats where I hope Maia Moms may come in. Maia Moms is a faith based program that brings in single moms that are desperately trying to get back on their feet again. Its a year program that subsidizes housing, helps with daycare and helps them through school and find a better job. In this program the moms are required to do a life skills class twice a month, meet with a financial advisor once a month, have a mentor for the year and be involved in different classes they offer. It is a year of support and help. A year to get the mom back on their feet, help them save a small nest egg to afford a better place to live, to have them get through some schooling to better their opportunities and to help get a better paying job. I have been so encouraged to be a part of this organization since being here. I have been amazed watching the women leading it and the care and love that they pour into each mom. I truly think the Lord is going to use it for amazing things in this city. I also think it is an answer to a lot of DSS moms. AA is a support program for alcoholics, Domestic Violence has support groups, drug rehabs offer support groups, but there are no support groups just for single moms that are having a really hard year or few years and just need help to get back up again. A lot of times these women don't just need money because most don't know what to do with the money, most of the women need a community to stand beside them and walk the road with them, give them a hand, encourage and love on them when the road gets bumpy and then celebrate the victories.

So I left the conversation with the social worker today heavy hearted. Heavy hearted for a mom who shares a love for this little girl that lights up a room, but the mom is in a rough spot. I don't want this mom to sink, I truly want her to float and to do it well. I called over to the head of Maia moms asking what I should do. Also asking if her mom happens to want to apply to the program, would it be possible. She said yes if she wants to do some schooling, but there isn't an opening till March unless there is people to sponsor. I then asked what it takes to sponsor a mom. She said it takes $400 a month for the year. The sponsor/sponsors get to know who the mom is and how exactly money is being used. I was amazed that the sponsorship is only $400 a month because I know how great the program is for the moms, I have seen and felt it. I know many people are often trying to find ways to help or give, but want to know how and where money is being used. This program is small yet mighty. The Lord is already starting something here and I am excited to see how it is being used. If you feel led to give I would be more than happy to answer any questions. My prayer is that I can get a team together that wants to support Little Lady M's mom for the year. $400 a month is often too much for one person, but if I get a team of 4-6 people together we can help support her through this year. I don't know if this is even possible, because I don't know if she wants to do it, but I hope to have people praying that her heart desires the support and love through this year that is a head of her. Their website is http://maiamoms.org
I would love to use Maia Moms in the future when I see moms who are really trying their best for their kids, but just need a little support. I would love to give them a year of help, but I can't do it without more help from people wanting to support and sponsor this program.

Please pray that Little Lady M's mom and I are able to communicate better since she only speaks Spanish and that she sees that I truly love her daughter and want to help in any way that I can. Thank you for your constant support and prayers for my family. This year has been one of the hardest and heaviest years of our marriage, but we have grown more this year than any other. We are blessed to have so many around us loving and praying for us. Truly thankful.

Lets help these moms float.