Help One Child - A Mission To Children At Risk

"The PRIDE class really opened our eyes to see the huge need for foster and adoptive homes locally...so many kids within our county have to go to the shelter ... "

Pam Chesavage, and husband Jay

Ambasador Church Hosts PRIDE Training
The best foster parent recruitment comes from other foster parents. While Dan and Judi Van Elderen, foster parents and Help One Child Board Co-Chairs, have cared for infants and toddlers over two decades, church members at Peninsula Bible Church (PBC) have been watching. Watching and letting the idea of caring for foster children or providing a permanent home germinate.
The Van Elderen's simple example has helped remove the fear or discomfort families might have initially about opening their homes, says PBC Missions Pastor Carol Lind.
Teaming up with the Van Elderens to champion foster care at PBC is adoptive mom Pam Chesavage. Pam and her husband, Jay, have a son by private adoption. Adopted from foster care as an infant, Pam has a passion for helping children thrive in loving families. She and Jay remodeled their home to be able to house up to five children from foster care. Pam has already completed the PRIDE training while husband Jay will attend the PBC class.
"We’re excited to see how God wants to challenge and bless us in the children He brings our way," Pam says. "The PRIDE class really opened our eyes to see the huge need for foster and adoptive homes locally - it surprised and deeply saddened me that so many kids within our county have to go to the shelter when they are taken away from their families, due to lack of available foster homes to place them in."
The groundswell of congregational interest and pastoral support launched PBC’s foster care ministry "Seeds of Hope," as part of Help One Child’s Ambassador Church Program. After a year of praying that the church could encourage one new family to be licensed for foster care, two families have already completed county training and more families and individuals are interested in the next step. For many, the next step is training to become licensed as county foster parents or respite providers.
With the high level of interest and commitment, Santa Clara County was willing to schedule a PRIDE (Parent Resource, Information, Development and Education) class, typically held at a downtown San Jose facility, at PBC in Palo Alto. Classes will be held every Tuesday night from 6-9 PM, from January 15-March 18, with childcare by reservation. To RSVP for any Santa Clara County PRIDE training, call 408-299-KIDS. Contact Help One Child at 650-917-1210 to reserve low-cost childcare for the PRIDE class at PBC.