Agape Villages Foster Family Agency has served more than 6,400 children in the 60 years it has been in business. As a licensed foster family agency placing children in foster homes, Agape Villages recruits and trains foster parents who care for abused and neglected children.
Mary and John have been foster parents with Agape for five years and previously fostered children through the county. They’ve fostered 39 children so far — some stayed for just one night and others for as long as two-and-a-half years.
The couple has adopted five of the children they’ve fostered. Two of them, a boy and a girl, came to them two years ago as withdrawn 3 year olds — not speaking and crying often. Since then, though, the children have adjusted and are now flourishing at age 5, a testament to Mary and John’s love and dedication.
Mary and John both love the positive, life-changing impact of fostering. “It’s addicting!” confirms Mary. “The more you help, the more you want to help, and the more you see the need, the more you feel you have to do.”
Mary’s parents had been foster parents, and that made a deep impression on her. “Someone has to do this, and I always knew I wanted to foster,” she says. “Not only do we cherish every child, but we’ve also made so many friends in the foster care world. Our lives are much richer for it.”
Because of you — adults with compassion and the passion to help — Agape is able to take care of kids. The agency needs people like Mary and John to step up as foster parents, as well as donors who will help Agape financially support foster children.
Will you help?