The primary goals of CHOSEN are to provide a program that is able to teach, train, and model positive parenting skills for the child’s family (to support the child’s return home) and:
CHOSEN treatment families accept the challenge of working with youth who have been abandoned, abused, and neglected. They possess a willingness to explore the challenges of parenting troubled youth.
CHOSEN provides Treatment Parents with intensive training, supervision, and support. Parents have access to a 24-hour on-call hotline. Respite care is offered, along with a tax-free monthly stipend.
In general, we require that parents are willing to work with adolescents, as they make up the majority of the children referred to CHOSEN. Parents must be at least 21 years of age. They may be married or single. Parents must be generally in good health, and able to meet family financial obligations.
To learn more about foster parenting, please view our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you would like to be contacted by a CHOSEN parent recruiter, please click here and fill out the very brief form.
PRAYER REQUESTS
...for a foster parent whose brother passed away unexpectedly last week. She is also still grieving the loss of her uncle who passed away two weeks ago.
...for one of our volunteers who will undergo a heart procedure on Wednesday.
...for a Safe Family child who returned home to her biological mother this month.
...for a Safe Family biological mom who is having a rough time with her chemo treatments.
...for a CHOSEN teen who is leaving us, for his successful future.
...for a staff member and her family at the loss of her grandfather.
...for a CHOSEN teen who is not doing well emotionally or behaviorally.
SUCCESSES!
Note: All names have been changed to protect the identities of our kids and families.
Derrick is going to be baptized! Derrick and his brother are CHOSEN children placed with parents who are staff members at a Montgomery Baptist Association church. Without the prior knowledge of his foster parents, Derrick went forward on Sunday, fell into his foster father's arms, and cried out, "I want what you have. I want to be baptized!" There was not a dry eye in the congregation.
As the spring semester comes to an end for college students, we wish a fond farewell to our three interns: Kristina and Stacey, who worked with CHOSEN, and Clarissa, who worked with Safe Families. They not only served successful internships from the learning and work standpoint, but also were valued members of the Baptist Family team. They will be missed.
Two of our CHOSEN kids, siblings Travis and Shannon, have been doing a great job with remembering to bring home their behavior point sheets from school. And we cannot forget Zanna, who is Student of the Month at her school!
An adoptive family has been found for two little boys who were placed with one of our Safe Families after their family was no longer able to care for them. Please also pray for a smooth transition for the boys.
We have a story to share about a family who recently moved into our transitional apartment. This homeless family was referred to us by a church they attend in Baltimore. The dad works, but has been underemployed for the last few years. They have three children currently living with them and four others staying with their grandparents. Another baby is due in May. The plan is for mom, dad, and three of the children to stay in the apartment while the transitional house is being made ready.
We are so grateful for everyone who responded to our email blast about the immediate need for household goods. Food, bedding, household items, and even gas cards have come in through your outpouring of Christian love. God is good!