DEFENDER
Issue 44 | November 2024
In This Issue:
November is National adoption Month
Join us in celebrating two forever families this National Adoption Month! 4-5
Linking Hands Despite the Storm
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, see how our 4KIDS friends and families stepped in to lend a helping hand. 6-7
Giving Thanks
Read some uplifting regional stories and events as we give thanks for all the blessings we and our families receive. 8-9
more ways to get involved
Take your next step with 4KIDS by participating in Gift Planning, Champions 4KIDS, EPIC Training, and/or a Vision Tour.
November is National Adoption Month
Every November, we get the privilege of honoring all our forever families! Some who have fostered for years, some who knew from the start they’d adopt, and some who went through many trials to fight for their child. No matter the story, we love to celebrate these parents and kiddos who now get to enjoy a lifetime of love.
In 2022, the Escobar Family felt called to open their home to a little one in need of a safe space, so they decided to open their hearts to foster care! They became licensed with 4KIDS and after receiving a few calls, for placements that did not end up being needed, they accepted a sweet little six-week-old baby boy into their home. Little did they know that this little boy would eventually become a part of their family forever.
This sweet baby entered into the Escobar home with 19 broken bones, was in a cast, and had endured more trauma than some do in their entire lifetime. Despite the unknowns of his situation, the Escobar's continued to love and nurture him as the days and months passed. After 890 days in foster care, this baby was able to finally find his forever family with the Escobar’s.
Ashley and Danny Rozo also became licensed with 4KIDS in 2022, and shortly after got a call to care for a sweet boy named Zane. They cared for this boy and their three biological daughters for some time, and then received a call to take in an additional little boy named Zion. Although they wrestled a bit with the uncertainty and change that would come from caring for 2 babies, they felt the Holy Spirit working in their lives.
“The next morning, my wife opened a card that was dropped off with a meal from church, and it was written by a boy who had grown up in foster care. He said, ‘Thank God for people like you who open your homes to kids in foster care because if it wasn’t for people like you, I never would have met my parents, who love me so much.’ That was our sign—Zion was meant to be ours...,” Danny Rozo explained.
They picked Zion up from the hospital and immediately knew he was a perfect fit for their family. Now a delightful little two-year-old boy, he loves to laugh, dance, and watch movies. When we asked the Rozos about Zion’s personality, it was evident he adds so much joy to their family. They described him as bright, bubbly, and full of life! In September, his permanent home was made official through the Rozo’s decision to adopt, and he became a part of their family forever!
The positive impact Zion and the entire foster/adoptive journey has had on their whole family is unmistakable, especially the impression it’s had on their three girls. They saw firsthand the way Zion’s life changed because of the calling on their parents’ hearts. Their oldest daughter, Sophia, is now even pursuing a career in social work because of Zion’s story! We are so grateful for the generational impact the Rozo’s have made!
Linking Hands despite The Storm
It’s no secret that storms can bring devastation, and once again, the Southwest Florida coastal area was faced with the harsh impact of Hurricane Milton. As one of the regions we serve, it was vital for us to check in on our 4KIDS families and friends during this challenging time. One of our adoptive families, the Gauntts, live in Fort Myers with their 10 children. They had already suffered total loss of their belongings during Hurricane Ian, and just as they were beginning to recover, Milton struck. After the storm, our Southwest Florida team sprang into action to share their need with the community, help them clean up, and make repairs.
When we reached out to the community to help assist the Gauntt Family, we were overwhelmed by the response. First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, Ann Children's Fund, and ANA's Friends all stepped up in a big way, donating two laundry machines and providing financial assistance to help the family rebuild. This outpouring of support truly reflects the strength and compassion of our community, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
With Milton also came unexpected tornadoes in the Treasure Coast area, shocking everyone. Just like in Southwest Florida, our 4KIDS Treasure Coast team quickly reached out to local churches and families to find ways to support those in need. They connected with Walmart in Port St. Lucie and mobilized an incredible team of staff and volunteers to deliver water bottles and essential supplies to families affected by the tornadoes.
Every day, 4KIDS is blessed by the generosity of the community, whether through volunteers, financial contributions, or churches offering support. We take great joy in being a source of hope and assistance for those facing challenges in the regions we serve, regardless of the circumstances.
John Gauntt receiving the check for rebuilding efforts.
4KIDS Treasure Coast Team & volunteers with bottled water donated by Walmart, ready to distribute.
MiamiDade Treasure Coast
On October 2, 4KIDS Miami hosted a Foster Care Interest Meeting, in partnership with VOUS Church to learn about fostering and the steps they can take open up their home to a child in need.
While there, our staff could tangibly see the stirring up of hearts and the desire to help children who tragically get removed from their homes here in Miami. With a handful of Miami families currently in the licensing process, we are confident that when our placement coordinator gets the next call about a little girl who has no relatives to care for her, or a little boy who has been exposed to abuse, we will have families ready to step up and say “yes”!
Recently, Westside Church responded to a CarePortal request to cover one biological family’s utility bill. Although working and trying their best to make ends meet, they desperately needed a lifeline. When the individuals at Westside Church met with the family and fulfilled this need, they discovered that the teenage child in the home had only two outfits of clothing to his name. Moved by this situation, the church took it upon themselves to take the family shopping, ensuring that they had everything necessary for their comfort and wellbeing. Since then, they have made a commitment to stay in touch with the family on a weekly basis, offering support and encouragement while continuing to demonstrate the love of God in tangible ways.
Palm Beach Southwest Florida
Foster mom Jodie Fowler stepped up when two pre-teen girls needed a safe place to stay while awaiting a permanent home. Initially, ChildNet arranged for separate placements, but Jodie passionately advocated for the girls to remain together. She offered to care for them for as long as necessary until a suitable joint placement could be found. Jodie stretched herself because of the love and care she had, and welcomed the girls into her home for over two weeks. Thankfully, they were eventually able to move to another loving Christian home, staying together as they embarked on the next chapter of their journey.
On October 5, Peter Mutabazi, otherwise known as ‘Foster Dad Flipper’ joined our 4KIDS Southwest Florida team at Destiny Church for a night focused on illuminating hope for children in crisis. To start the evening, Meredith Andrews led us in an uplifting time of worship and later Peter, an influencer, adopted dad of 3 and foster dad to over 40 children, came on stage with fun stories and encouraging words for all in attendance. Despite the rainy weather, our Night of Advocacy was a huge success, raising $30,000 to support kids in foster care!
With over 100 people in attendance, we are so thankful for the support and love the Southwest Florida community has for the families we serve.
More Ways to Get Involved
Vision Tours
Come and hear stories of transformed lives made possible by your generosity! During a 4KIDS Vision Tour, you’ll learn all about what makes 4KIDS unique and discover other ways that you can make a difference for kids and families in need. Vision Tours are offered quarterly in-person at 4KIDS Headquarters in Broward. To sign up for the next one, visit: 4KIDS.us/VisionTour
Champions 4KIDS
Champions4KIDS is a committee of advocates who bring hope to kids in crisis by garnering support for fundraising and community engagement initiatives. Join a community dedicated to advocating for vulnerable children in our communities. Visit 4KIDS.us/Champions to learn more.
Training & Resources
Gain fresh insight on how to work with kids who have experienced trauma, and how to be more effective as a parent or leader in any child’s life. EPIC training is free and occurs online over two days. To register for an upcoming training, visit: 4KIDS.us/EPICTraining
We also have various parenting videos and resources created by our 4KIDS Clinical Team available at: 4KIDS.us/EPIC/DigitalResources
Visit HopeConnect.org for dozens of fun, everyday activities to do with any child in your life to instill a Biblical sense of hope and healing. Plus, subscribe to the new Thrive Blog by visiting their home page and clicking the ‘Subscribe’ button in the upper right.
Estate & Legacy Planning
Make a transformational gift that protects your family and creates more Hope, Homes, and Healing through 4KIDS. Design your first estate plan or update an existing one with our trusted partner Financial Planning Ministry (FPM), a service available at no cost to you when you include a bequest to 4KIDS. Sign up for the next informational webinar at: 4KIDS.us/EstateandLegacyPlanning
Thank You 4KIDS DEFENDERS!
Because of your recurring gift, between August and October across all the regions we serve:
829 children found hope through CarePortal 168 children were served in loving foster homes
2,534 hours of therapy helped kids and families discover healing
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