2020-2021 Annual Donor's Magazine

HOPE

homes

HEALING

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

A Letter From The President

04

Our Model

05

Our Regional Impact

07

Financials

08

Program Highlights

22

Your Impact

25

Ways To Engage

STNETNOC FO ELBAT

02

A Letter From The President Dear 4KIDS Friends,

Thank you for the heartfelt friendship and support you have offered to children and families this year through 4KIDS. As volunteers, foster parents, Defenders, or supporters, you propelled life-changing work in our community.

As I look back at this year it is impossible to ignore the ways COVID-19 continued to impact child welfare, but it is also impossible to not notice the tremendous ways this 4KIDS community persevered and offered unparalleled hope in even the darkest moments. Whether it was a baby coming into care with 17 broken bones, a sibling group that needed a foster home who could keep them together, or a teen in desperate need of therapeutic resources, 4KIDS was there, because of you, continuing to provide our paradigm of hope, homes, and healing despite this year’s unique challenges. We were even able to expand our services by launching our strategic partnership with CarePortal to help families in crisis through preventative care that keeps children from entering the foster care system.

This past year as a team at 4KIDS we adopted the theme “We Go Together” – and you are an integral part of that movement. As an entire 4KIDS community we have continued to go together, to pursue greater outcomes for kids in crisis, working endlessly until every child has a home. Time and time again we hear, from people like the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, that our unprecedented model and outcomes are desperately needed in other communities across our state and beyond. I look at this diverse community made up of people not just across South Florida but across the country and the world, and I see our unstoppable passion for God’s children - drawing us to expand to reach and impact many more lives together.

As we continue to go together I pray that you will continue on in this journey to change lives. I hope that this year’s annual report will touch your heart and encourage your spirit to keep going. Lives are being changed, hope is being renewed, the story is being re-written.

Until Every Child Has A Home,

Kevin Enders 4KIDS President “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

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A

LETTER

FROM

THE

PRESIDENT

• 4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

Our Model WHO WE SERVE Whether a family is in critical need of preventative care, a child is removed from their home for the first time, a young adult is aging out of foster care, or a young mom is facing an unplanned pregnancy with nowhere to go, 4KIDS is there with hope, homes, and healing.

Because of your generous support, 4KIDS licenses loving foster parents, offers trauma-informed therapy, and provides critical resources for the most vulnerable in our community.

THIS YEAR AROUND 4KIDS total served across all programs

1,279

hours of therapy were provided to kids, young adults, and parents

10,952

loving 4KIDS Foster Homes were a refuge to kids in need

213

04

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OUR

MODEL

• 4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

OUR REGIONAL IMPACT

TREASURE COAST

151 91 48

kids and parents received preventative support through CarePortal

children and teens served by 4KIDS foster families

kids and parents served by a 4KIDS EPIC Clinician

PALM BEACH

166 96 75

kids and parents received preventative support through CarePortal

children and teens served by 4KIDS foster families

BROWARD

kids and parents served by a 4KIDS EPIC Clinician

187 120 367

kids and parents received preventative support through CarePortal

children and teens served by 4KIDS foster families

kids and parents served by a 4KIDS EPIC Clinician

"God has called us to advocate for these little children. To be a safe and loving home, for however long it’s needed.”

A M Y ,

4 K I D S

F O S T E R

A N D

A D O P T I V E

P A R E N T

2020 - 2021 AT A GLANCE

Financials FUNDING SOURCES Churches Other 1.3% 3.3% Individual Donors 20.4%

Businesses 26.9%

Foundations 15.8%

Government 32.3%

OPERATING EXPENSES Administration 10%

Development 12% Advocacy 3%

Programs 75% 07

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FINANCIALS

• 4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

Prevention After a year where many have lost their jobs and faced unexpected hardship, 4KIDS new partnership with CarePortal is allowing us to strengthen biological caregivers and build up families before child abuse or neglect begin.

CarePortal is a platform that allows individuals, businesses, and churches that partner with 4KIDS to meet the needs of families who are struggling right in their own backyard. In the Treasure Coast area, one 4KIDS Church Partner responded to a need of an elderly couple who had taken in their 8-year-old granddaughter. Their home was just minutes away from the church property, and the little girl was in need of a new dresser, clothing and shoes.

The church was able to meet with the family and provide this little girl with everything she needed and more. They offered to stay in touch with the family and are finding other

1 minute the time it took tor one 4KIDS Partner to respond to a CarePortal request and cover

ways to relieve this family of some of the financial burdens they are facing. One of the volunteers from the church who fulfilled this request shared, "The joy we were able to bring this little girl is a reminder to

rent for a single mother of three who was

intentionally live for something bigger than

facing eviction

ourselves!"

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PREVENTION

•

4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

children and their adult family members served through CarePortal

46 churches in the Southeast Region partnering with 4KIDS and CarePortal

More than $128,000 in economic impact through CarePortal on the community

NOITNEVERP

342

Foster Care At seven years old, Jenny* was brought from

Since she grew up in an impoverished

Central America to the United States in a

community, one of Jenny’s newfound favorite

shipping container. Alone, scared, and in an

things to do in her foster home is to dress up

unfamiliar country, she was first placed in the

and have everyone tell her how beautiful she

home of a relative where she faced physical

looks– she can never have enough bows in her

abuse. When 4KIDS was notified that Jenny was

hair and dazzling outfits on! Before bedtime,

in need of a safe and loving foster home,

Jenny always eagerly prays for her mom and

Cheryl* who has been a foster parent with

siblings back home.

4KIDS for five years, said “yes” to her immediately.

Until she can be safely reunified, Cheryl and her daughters are devoted to caring for Jenny

Since living with Cheryl and her three adoptive

for as long as she needs, continuing to be a

daughters for the last year, Jenny is now thriving

steadfast refuge since that very first phone

both academically and emotionally. Once

call.

guarded and fearful, she is now known best for *Names were changed to protect the identity of those

her love of laughter and fun.

we serve.

Walker Family

1.21

the number of moves per 1,000 days that a child experiences in a 4KIDS Foster Home, compared to Ma'Kayla

the statewide rate of 3.61 moves Mesa Family

ERAC RETSOF

Mesa Brothers

50

37

kids were adopted by

siblings group stayed

a 4KIDS foster family

together in 4KIDS Foster Homes

30

55

months, the average longevity of a 4KIDS Foster Home

kids were reunified

compared to the national

with their biological

average of 14 months

families

11

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FOSTER

CARE

• 4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

Walker Siblings

Specialized Foster Homes After enduring a lifetime of abuse and

After showing so much resistance at the

neglect, two brothers, Robert* and Angelo*,

beginning of their relationship, it was

came into foster care for the first time last

Robert who first told Katelyn “I love you”

November, and were able to stay together in

before bedtime, and shortly after began

a 4KIDS Specialized Foster Home. Initially,

calling her “mommy.” What may seem like a

Robert (the older brother), had an extremely

small gesture, is reflecting incredible

difficult time interacting with his new foster

healing in Robert's heart.

parents, often refusing to speak or even look at them. After observing the bond between

When these two brothers were placed in the

these foster parents and the other foster

care of a relative who lived out of state,

children already in their home, Robert and

Katelynn was Robert’s first phone call the

Angelo began opening up over time.

moment he got off the plane. Katelynn's love hasn't ended and will continue on regardless

Their foster parents, Katelyn and Jasser,

of where Robert and his little brother live -

went above and beyond to show them

a beautiful picture of the heart of a 4KIDS

unconditional love, kindness, and care no

foster parent.

matter what kind of behaviors they displayed. Over the next four months, Robert grew incredibly close with Katelyn,

*Names were changed to protect the identity of those we serve.

and she redefined what a mother's love could look like for him.

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SPECIALIZED

HOMES

•

4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

kids were served in a 4KIDS Specialized Foster Home

5,277

1,759

meals served in a

safe nights in a 4KIDS

4KIDS Specialized Foster Home

Specialized Foster Home

Scott Family

SEMOH DEZILAICEPS

20

Family Advocacy Ministry FAM teams are created within local churches, designed to wrap-around 4KIDS foster families with resources, support, and love.

62 4KIDS foster and adoptive families supported by a FAM team

335

27

volunteers actively

churches offering

serving families

FAM

7 families became foster families after serving in FAM

"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve ..."

Matthew 20:28

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FAMILY

ADVOCACY

MINISTRY

•

4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

"When I look back on all who have come through my home and all the blessings that have come through being a foster parent for over 20 years, it makes everything worth it."

T E R E S A ,

4 K I D S

H O U S E

P A R E N T

Transitional Independent Living “There is something powerful about the ability of four young adults who have never met, each of whom have gone through adverse experiences, and two resident advisors, to all live under one roof and become a family,” shared Tosin Adeyeye.

Tosin has been a resident advisor for one of 4KIDS Independent Living girl’s homes for four years. Within her particular home, this past year Tosin has seen each young lady make strides towards reaching their individual goals, but she has also seen them grow collectively in their support for one another as well. The girls in her home hold each other up – they cheer each other on and have learned to lovingly confront one another when they are making decisions that aren’t in their best interest.

In one instance, one of the young ladies had asked for accountability in the area of food, since prior to living in the home she had been surviving on junk food. One morning, Tosin watched as girls from every direction of the house ran over to this resident to encourage her to uphold her goal and make a healthy meal choice. These girls dance together, exercise together, and create spaces of healing for one another in a way most of them have never known before.

of residents secured employment or pursued education

22 young adults lived in a 4KIDS Independent Living Home

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INDEPENDENT

LIVING

•

4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

GNIVIL TNEDNEPEDNI

100%

His Caring Place Kaitland first came to 4KIDS His Caring Place (HCP) after finding out she was pregnant and in need of a safe place to live. Over the next six months, the HCP Team and the other residents helped Kaitland reach her goals to study for her GED exams, secure employment, and prepare to become a first-time mom. When she was close to giving birth, Kaitland left HCP to live with her grandmother, and then returned to HCP last May with her infant daughter. “I think I realized there was a support and structure to HCP that I still needed and couldn’t find anywhere else,” she shared.

Between May and July, she put in twice the amount of work as she had when she first came to our HCP Home. She was able to find two jobs, enroll her daughter in a daycare, and save up enough money to move out on her own. She also developed a relationship with a 4KIDS Therapist who she will continue to see now that she’s successfully completed the program. Her two experiences at HCP have taught Kaitland that the team there has her best interest at heart and that she can always reach out for guidance and encouragement.

ECALP GNIRAC SIH

85

young women received pregnancy counseling through His Caring Place

7

babies were served through His Caring Place

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HIS

CARING

PLACE

•

4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

EPIC When a doctor recommended their 8-yearold adoptive son begin therapeutic services, a couple turned to 4KIDS for help.

This little boy had been drug-exposed as a baby and faced many hardships in his early childhood. As he became older, his adoptive parents found that his fear of going out to public places and hearing loud noises was getting harder and harder for him to cope with. He was especially fearful of things like lawn mowers, motorcycles, and fire alarms.

Last year, one of our 4KIDS Therapists began working with him weekly to help him find ways to manage these sensory issues.

“One day during play therapy, without any prompting he excitedly told me that the other night he and his family had gone out to dinner and he had bravely walked past a motorcycle without feeling afraid,” remarked his 4KIDS Therapist. Over time, he has gone from being terrified of going for walks around his neighborhood to now knowing that when he sees a lawn mower, he can cover his ears and turn back around.

Small, incremental, but transformative changes like the ones this little boy has experienced in his life are happening every day through 4KIDS EPIC Therapeutic Approach.

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EPIC

•

4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

220 parents and community members attended an EPIC Training

kids, young adults, and parents received care from a 4KIDS EPIC Clinician

"It was exactly what I needed to hear, exactly when I needed to hear it. The trainers seemed genuinely interested in me and how to help me overcome challenges I was facing as a parent."

- EPIC Training Attendee

CIPE

490

Your Impact Here, Impacts There Investing in 4KIDS goes beyond our immediate community. Between collaborations and partnerships benefitting like-minded non-profits across the country, our affiliate team at 4KIDS Central Texas, and our EPIC resources providing trauma-informed care and training to local and global partners, your impact has never reached farther.

Even in a year filled with challenges and uncertainty brought on by COVID19, 4KIDS was able to add new prevention-based programs, expand services, and begin growing in new regions thanks to your generosity.

29

active collaborations with non-profits from 9 different states

48%

increase in fundraising generated for a ministry who 4KIDS guided in fundraising best-practices

36

EPIC digital resources, including videos, blogs, and tip sheets, viewed 4,400 times

4KIDS EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBERS are serving on local and statewide boards influencing child welfare across the state and nation

36,000+ unique views on our website 4KIDS.us

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YOUR

IMPACT

• 4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

PSALM 82:3

WAYS TO ENGAGE GIVE

TOUR

There are many ways to make a difference in the life of a child today. Experience the joy of helping kids in crisis.

Attending a 4KIDS Vision Tour is the perfect way to be educated on the "why" behind what we do, and discover your role in transforming the lives of the most vulnerable in our community.

Discover ways to give at: 4KIDS.us/Give

Join a vision tour at: 4KIDS.us/VisionTour

TRAIN

PRAY

4KIDS EPIC Training is specially designed to equip parents, teachers, or other caregivers to connect with kids using a trauma-informed approach.

Pray for our children and families in care, as well as our foster and house parents, adoptive families, staff, leadership, and others.

Learn more about ways to pray at 4KIDS.us/MakeADifference

Experience an EPIC Training and other resources at: EPICHealing.org

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WAYS

TO

ENGAGE

•

4KIDS

2021

ANNUAL

REPORT

OUR VISION: A Home for Every Child

OUR MISSION: Providing Hope for Kids in Crisis

2717 W Cypress Creek Rd. | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 | 954.979.7911 1690 Congress Ave., Suite 200 | Delray Beach, FL 33445 | 561.418.3066 50 NE Dixie Hwy, Unit A4 | Stuart, FL 34994 | 772.419.8831

www.4KIDS.us