Author: leonie@homewardproject.org

When most Bible teachers talk about God’s heart for the fatherless, they all seem to draw from the same few verses (ie. Psalms 68:5-6; James 1:27). But the Bible – especially the Old Testament – is full of passages that disclose God’s heart for the fatherless. This is a problem. It’s like we have been …

I grew up with a deep love for the outdoors. From a young age, my dad would take my brother and me camping and backpacking. One year we were gearing up for a 50-mile backpacking trip with several of my friends and their parents in Lassen National forest through the beautiful Cascade Mountains of California. …

In Australia, thousands of children need a safe, loving home—but what does it take to answer that call?  With two biological sons and three sons welcomed through Out-of-Home Care, Mary has experienced the joys and challenges of foster care firsthand. Through her work with Fostering Hope in Tasmania, she’s helping other carers embrace this life-changing journey, one …

This Christmas season, one local church is modelling a beautiful spirit of local partnership to help lighten the load for families to be able to have gifts under the tree – and this year they’re including a focus on foster carers. LifeHouse Care, the community arm of LifeHouse Church on the NSW mid-North Coast, wants …

The cry of my heart and the work of my life has become to give voice to children and families experiencing foster care.  I am a biological, foster and adoptive mama and God has shaped our family in unexpected ways along this journey, as we’ve had the privilege of caring for children for a chapter …

Jen* climbed out of her window at 12 years old, needing to escape. It’s been a journey of unlearning and learning; ultimately breaking a cycle and leaving a legacy for the next generation. The love shown by her Foster Carers helped break through the lies that she’d come to believe about herself and she learned …

The first time I began to encounter young people who had been in foster care was when I was in a youth worker role in New Zealand. I began to meet more and more young people who had aged out of the system. There was almost systemic homelessness happening (things have changed at a policy …

Building our understanding of trauma, the brain, and attachment helps us be better positioned to provide healing environments for children who have experienced relational trauma. This video takes an introductory look at some key areas including: Keep exploring these topics further: If you are a Children’s or Youth Ministry leader who wants to build your …

I was completing a Social Work degree and to be honest, I had no clue about Foster Care. I was on placement with the Department of Communities and Justice in the triage unit, where child protection reports are made and assessed. I loved being in that area as it was preventative work. I was least …

A children’s ministry resource to support your children’s program to create an inviting and welcoming environment for kids with an experience of Out-of-Home Care.  Recognising that families come in all shapes and sizes and that for children who have experienced foster care, kinship care, permanent care or adoption, ‘family’ can potentially be a bit of a complicated thing …

This week is Foster Care Week in many States and Territories across Australia. Foster Care Week is an opportunity to:Celebrate the unique contribution of Foster and Kinship Carers;Recognise the work of Out-of-Home Care organisations;Stand with young people in care, full of purpose and potential; andBelieve for the restoration of families. Join us in praying for …

“We need to wake the sleeping giant that is the church in the foster care space.” When I first heard my friend say these words, something in me stirred. It was five years ago and part of a catalytic season for what was to become The Homeward Project.  Fast forward to last week when I …

Ali and Noddy reflect on the costly love of foster care and how it takes all of us to lean into a problem that shouldn’t exist in our world but does. Ali and Noddy’s journey into foster care was quite a long one. Through obedience and continually coming back to Jesus, they are opening their …

The Caring for Carers resource is your guide to providing holistic support for those who are opening their home to children and young people, whether through foster care, kinship care, permanent care, or adoption. It is our desire that none of these families would be on this journey alone and that this resource will help you to …

Let’s take a look at some of the most common foster care myths and misconceptions, concerns and questions. I can’t foster because I’m single. Families come in all shapes and sizes. You can be single, married, later in life and be able to provide a loving home for a child or young person.  I need …

Join with churches around Australia to celebrate Foster and Kinship Carers and raise awareness of both the needs and opportunities in the Out-of-home Care space. Foster Care Sunday 2024 is Sunday 8th September. Foster Care Sunday provides an opportunity for the Church to come together in unity to: Email hello@homewardproject.org to request the Foster Care Sunday …