Bethany Christian Services

Faith calls us to step in—to be present, to act, and to care for children who need a family. Ready to say yes? Start today: https://lnkd.in/g8xPZzTR. — “When you did it for the least of these, you did it for me.” – Matthew 25:40

Families come in all shapes and sizes. A common myth is that you have to be married to foster or adopt. You don’t. Thousands of single parents are providing loving, stable homes for children who need them—and you could too. Today, on National Single Parent Day, we celebrate the individuals who step in despite life’s challenges—who open their hearts and homes to children who need them most. If you’ve ever thought, “Could I do this?”—the answer is yes. ?? You don’t have to be married. ?? You don’t have to be perfect. ?? You just need a heart willing to love and support a child. Want to learn more? Visit https://lnkd.in/gf3vXEAF. Want to celebrate a single parent? Tag them below and we’ll celebrate them with you! ??

"Today at Bethany Christian Services, I was in the courtroom with Jess, a mom with two children in foster care. Over the last year, I supervised Jess’ parenting time visits twice a week, and I got to know her even more in my Parenting After Trauma class. I’ve seen her do the work to turn things around, and I’ve seen how much she’s grown. So I was happy to testify on her behalf today and be there with her to hear the judge say, “The order is granted.” Her kids are coming home. While reunification is usually the goal when children enter foster care, it’s the actual outcome just under 50% of the time. So many factors play into a judge’s decision to grant reunification, including how much healing and change the parent needs to do in the time they’re given. So while we go into these hearings with our recommendations, reunification is the court’s decision. Going to court with parents like Jess is always emotional. Parents are excited but anxious, hoping their kids will be home soon. And you’re anxious, hoping you’ve done enough to prepare them so their kids can be home for good without returning to foster care. It feels like nobody can breathe until the judge gives their yes or no. Even when it’s “yes,” you still need to manage the parent’s expectations—they want their kids home now. But there’s a process that happens over days and weeks, where the kids come for some days and overnights with continued check-in visits after they’re fully home before we can close their case. There are lots of moving parts, and parents often struggle in this little window of “so close yet so far away.” You never want to set up false hope—for parents or children—so you keep communicating and cheering them on with each new step in their reunification plan. We have a bell in our office that we ring each time reunification is granted and again when the kids are fully home and the case is closed. It’s amazing to know you helped a parent get to the place where they’re parenting in a healthy way. You gave them all the tools you could, but they did the work, and now their children are home where they belong." — Mandy Taylor, parent support supervisor What will you do at Bethany tomorrow? --- Join our team today and you could one day see your #TodayAtBethany story featured! Go to Bethany.org/TABOnLinkedIn to learn more.

A diploma. A game-winning goal. A bedtime story. A safe place to belong. Every child deserves a champion—someone to walk alongside them in life’s biggest moments. But today, thousands of kids don’t have that support. Your “yes” could be the turning point in a child’s life. Will you step in? Learn more by visiting https://lnkd.in/gxt-Bccs.

Vote below and tell us how you would step in. ??? Learn more about how you can use your unique gifts and talents to protect children, empower youth, and strengthen families in your community: https://lnkd.in/gf3vXEAF.

“Just trust the driver and keep going.” Adopting from foster care is a journey of faith and love. When Cal and Terrie said yes to Abbey, they knew it wouldn’t be easy. Nine years of trauma meant Abbey had to fight for survival—but they were determined to fight alongside her. With every challenge, setback, and breakthrough, they leaned on their faith and the people who walked with them. And today, Abbey’s story is one of transformation, hope, and belonging. Not every child can return home. But every child deserves a family. Learn more about how you can step in and make a difference at https://lnkd.in/gf3vXEAF.

Right now, over 100,000 children in foster care are waiting for a permanent, loving home. Many of them have spent years in temporary placements, longing for a place to belong.? Adopting from foster care isn’t just about providing a home—it’s about walking with a child through life’s moments. It’s about showing up for birthdays, bedtime stories, college visits—the tough days and the beautiful ones.? Every child deserves that.? If you’ve ever considered adoption, now is the time to step in. Learn more about how you can give a child the security and love they deserve: https://lnkd.in/gf3vXEAF.

"Today at Bethany Christian Services, I got to be there while marketing filmed Ashlynne’s adoption story. Ashlynne was 5 when she was adopted from foster care. She’s 21 now—a college student with a bright future—and her story celebrates the power of family for a child who had a tough start in life. I journeyed with Ashlynne a long time on her adoption story. I was her case aide, supervising parenting time with her birth mom, who sadly passed away. I haven’t been part of Ashlynne’s life since her adoption, although I’d hear occasional updates from her adoptive family when I’d see them in the community. Ashlynne was so young, and there’s a lot she doesn’t remember about her adoption. But here’s what she told me as a young adult: what stayed with her was knowing people were there for her to ensure her safety and well-being during a difficult time. And because I still work at Bethany, Ashlynne knows she can call me to ask questions and get information to help her fill in the gaps. I want every child adopted from foster care to know what Ashlynne knows: that they’re loved and seen in God’s image despite the trauma they’ve been through. None of it’s their fault, and it doesn’t define them. I want them to know we tried our hardest to establish healthy relationships with their adoptive family and, when possible, helped them stay connected with their birth family. I want them to know they have someone and someplace to come home to. Foster care adoption is hard work, and we don’t often get to see the rest of the story once an adoption is final. But that’s part of the joy of working at Bethany for 20 years. Sometimes you do get to see how a child’s story unfolds over the years. Seeing Ashlynne tell her story reminded me why I do this work. It lights a fire in me." — Jamie Maatman-Miller, Foster Care Adoption Supervisor What will you do at Bethany tomorrow? --- Join our team today and you could one day see your #TodayAtBethany story featured! Go to Bethany.org/TABOnLinkedIn to learn more.

This National Social Worker Month, we honor the people who make healing possible. Social work isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. It’s walking alongside families in their hardest moments, advocating for kids, and ensuring every child knows they’re loved and supported. Follow along to see more of our #TodayAtBethany series, where we feature and celebrate Bethany Christian Services' incredible social workers.

Refugees are more than just headlines—they’re families, individuals, and survivors seeking safety. Refugees are people who flee war, violence, or persecution in search of safety. They undergo a significantly rigorous vetting process before resettlement. In 2015 alone, refugees in the U.S. paid $21 billion in taxes and contributed to communities as workers, neighbors, and friends. At Bethany Christian Services, we help them rebuild their lives. But with funding cuts threatening critical services, we need your help. Your donation ensures refugees continue to receive the care, support, and opportunities they deserve. Stand with us. Donate now: https://lnkd.in/g8Uius36