Reposting this need from the middle of May as the case worker has reached back out to us because no family has been identified yet and she still needs us. _________________________________________________ Real Kids. Right Now. Who Need Us. Pregnant female, age 15 Last week we brought to you a teenage mom raising her young son and in need of a place to call home in order to receive the love and safety that she needs so she can best care for her kiddo and stop the cycle of generational harm that brought her into foster care herself. It was an opportunity to step in and impact not just one generation, but two. Now we have another one. This young girl is pregnant and in need of a family who will walk with her through the rest of her pregnancy and support her as she becomes a mom and learns how to care for her newborn. What an amazing opportunity God has given us! In a handful of months, this baby will come into our world and this young momma is going to go through a major life change….may she not do it alone but within the Church surrounded by the love and safety of God’s people! Please pray. Please share this need. If you’re interested in learning about the next steps to open your home to this youth or another one of the nearly 19,000 youth in foster care in Illinois, DM us here or email: office@therestorenetwork.org. To see all the kids who need us visit: https://therestorenetwork.org/real-kids-right-now-who-need-us/ *Photo not of actual youth. (fb)

Real Kids. Right Now. Who Need Us. Male, age 4 When we first meet our kids, it’s tricky to figure out the why behind some of the behaviors we see. But when a child is new to us, or new to foster care, it can take awhile to figure out what’s really going on under it all for our new buddy. And that’s what the need is today. We have a 4 year old little boy who has only been in foster care for a couple months and is presenting with behaviors characteristic of a child with autism but also that mirror a child who has been significantly neglected. “He is very sweet. While with his parents he was not receiving any services; since being placed in foster care he has begun services and even started saying a few words and using sign language. He is not potty trained but since being in the home has used the bathroom a handful of times which has been a huge success! He is a runner. He will leave the house/try to escape through windows. There have been several investigations where he was found wandering down the road. He did not have much supervision with his biological parents and was often left in the care of his 10 year old brother. His brother has stable placement but they are unable to care for both kids. Father is non-offending and seems like he wants to work towards reunification; however, he is struggling as a single father and has been very honest he has no idea how to handle these behaviors along with working full time and not having much support.” This buddy is one of our most vulnerable little ones. But he is also “fearfully and wonderfully made.” He needs a home with a caregiver who can be quite hands-on in his care, has a great support system, and who understands the needs of a child with autism. But also, what an opportunity to come alongside a father who wants to care for his son but feels ill-equipped. Has God possibly been preparing you to step in for this very moment of their life? To help mentor and resource this father to be able to step in and parent his buddy. What an amazing story of restoration this could be for this family! Please pray. Please share this need. If you’re interested in learning about the next steps to open your home to this youth or another one of the nearly 18,000 youth in foster care in Illinois, DM us here or email: office@therestorenetwork.org. To see all the kids who need us visit: https://therestorenetwork.org/real-kids-right-now-who-need-us/ (fb)