10/29/2025
This amazing mom (in the blue shirt), is standing next to another amazing mom, Amy, who fostered her infant son for a few months. As Amy said, "She knew that she needed to do whatever it took to be with her son. She showed up for every appointment, visit, and court hearing. She worked hard to be in a place where he could be moved in with her sooner. The entire team marveled at her progress and commitment to being a sober parent. Her love for him was evident from the very beginning".
It's easy to demonize people who's children end up in foster care and label them as, "bad parents who don't care", when in reality most of them dearly love their children. Often times they have no support from family or a community, so when "hard times" hit, there is no one to come along side of them for support...which we ALL need. No one can do this life alone!
When this momma was able to get her son back, the church that Amy is a part of, Lakeview Church, Tooele County Utah, was able to come around and support her. She moved into a small apartment and only had a crib, a Pack 'n Play, and an air mattress. So, Lakeview kicked into action and as Amy said, "We brought her a whole apartment"!
This is just one of the many ways churches in Utah are stepping into and serving within the space of child welfare. It reminds me of the verse from 1 John 3:18...."Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth".
Let us know if we can help your church to serve in a similar way!
*Photos shared with permission from "mom".