In this enlightening episode, we delve into the critical topic of foster care and adoption:  Trigs is joined by our guest, Jami Kaeb, the founder and executive director of The Forgotten Initiative (TFI). The discussion centers around the pressing needs within the foster care system and the transformative journey that led Jami to establish TFI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between churches and foster care agencies.

Introduction to the Topic

Trig opens the episode by sharing personal anecdotes related to foster care, setting a heartfelt tone for the conversation. The host emphasizes the importance of understanding the challenges faced by foster care workers and the children they serve. By introducing Jami, Trig highlights her significant contributions to the foster care community and the mission of TFI, which aims to mobilize churches to support foster care agencies effectively.

Jami’s Journey

Jami shares her personal journey into the world of foster care and adoption, revealing that her initial involvement was not planned. She recognized a need in her community and began addressing it by blogging about her experiences. This grassroots effort resonated with others, leading to a growing demand for assistance in various communities. Jami candidly discusses her feelings of insecurity and lack of confidence as she took on more responsibilities, illustrating the common struggles many leaders face.

Key Takeaways from Jami’s Journey:
Unexpected Beginnings: Jami’s journey into foster care and adoption was not premeditated but rather a response to a recognized need in her community. Emotional Challenges: Jami’s experience adopting her son was initially marked by a lack of immediate emotional connection, which she later understood as a normal part of the process.
Divine Reassurance: Jami found comfort in a message from God, which reassured her that her commitment to her son was not diminished by her initial feelings of disconnect.

The Mission of The Forgotten Initiative

As the conversation progresses, Jami elaborates on the mission of The Forgotten Initiative. TFI aims to connect churches with foster care agencies, providing support to caseworkers and ultimately serving the children in need. Jami shares impressive statistics from the previous year, highlighting that TFI had 57 advocates working with 277 churches to support 82 agencies, which in turn helped over 14,000 children. This growth reflects TFI’s commitment to expanding its reach and impact within the foster care system.

TFI’s Core Focus Areas:
Awareness: Raising awareness about the needs of foster care workers and children.
Encouragement: Motivating churches to engage in service and support foster care agencies.
Advocacy: Advocating for effective support systems within the community to benefit children in foster care.

Future Goals:
Expansion: TFI aims to have 65 advocates in the program over the next year, increasing the number of communities served. Collaboration: Emphasizing the importance of collaboration between churches and foster care agencies to maximize impact.

The Importance of Supporting Caseworkers

A significant aspect of TFI’s mission is to support foster care caseworkers, who often work in challenging and emotionally taxing environments. Jami highlights that these workers are crucial in connecting various members of the foster care community, including birth parents, foster children, and foster families. However, they often lack the support and recognition they need to thrive in their roles.

Key Insights on Supporting Caseworkers:
High Turnover Rates: The average tenure of a caseworker is only about two and a half years, which can negatively impact the stability and continuity needed for children in foster care. Church Involvement: Encouraging churches to come alongside caseworkers, providing them with the support and resources they need to effectively serve children and families.

Building Connections Between Churches and Agencies

The conversation shifts to the practical aspects of how TFI facilitates connections between churches and foster care agencies. Jami explains that TFI trains advocates within local churches to serve as liaisons between the church and the foster care system. These advocates help identify needs within the community and mobilize church members to respond effectively.

Practical Steps for Churches:
Training Advocates: TFI trains church advocates to identify and address the needs of foster care agencies. Community Projects: Initiatives like creating birthday bags for children in foster care can provide tangible support and foster a sense of community within the church.

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Jami outlines TFI’s goals for the next five years. The organization aims to reconcile 150 communities, mobilize 450 churches, and serve 40,000 children more effectively through enhanced support for caseworkers. Jami emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the church and the foster care system, highlighting that both entities have unique strengths that can complement each other.

Future Vision:
Community Reconciliation: Aiming to reconcile 150 communities. Church Mobilization: Mobilizing 450 churches to support foster care agencies.
Enhanced Support: Serving 40,000 children more effectively through improved support for caseworkers.

Advice for Pursuing Passion and Purpose

As the episode nears its conclusion, Trig poses a question about how individuals can take initial steps toward pursuing their passions and purpose. Jami offers three key pieces of advice:

Abide with Jesus: Jami stresses the importance of spending time in prayer and reflection, encouraging listeners to be still and recognize God’s presence. She shares that her daily time with God is her favorite part of the day, emphasizing that true strength comes from depending on Him.

Surround Yourself with Community: Jami highlights the necessity of having a supportive community. She encourages listeners to seek out people who can speak truth into their lives, especially those who are not afraid to challenge them in love. This network of support is crucial for personal growth and accountability.

Take Action: Finally, Jami urges listeners to take the next step, even if it means making mistakes along the way. She reassures them that the journey is about learning and growing, not about achieving perfection. Embracing the process and being willing to pivot when necessary is essential for anyone pursuing their passion.

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode wraps up, Trig encourages listeners to connect with Jami and The Forgotten Initiative. Jami shares her contact information, inviting people to reach out through the TFI website and social media platforms. The host reiterates the importance of supporting the foster care system and the valuable work being done by Jami and her team.

Key Takeaways:
Connect with TFI: Listeners are encouraged to reach out to Jami and TFI through their website and social media. Support the Foster Care System: Emphasizing the importance of supporting foster care workers and children in need.

In summary, this episode serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that individuals and organizations can have in the foster care community. Jami’s journey, coupled with her insights on leadership and community support, inspires listeners to engage with their passions and make a difference in the lives of children in need. By fostering connections and supporting caseworkers, TFI is working to create a more compassionate and effective foster care system, ultimately reflecting the redemptive love of Christ in action.

Holy Culture Radio is operated by The Corelink Solution, a non-profit organization that aims to create a safe space for healing, foster unity in our communities and empower the next generation of creatives and leaders through spreading the gospel.

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TIMECODE REFERENCES

Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)
Trig introduces the topic of foster care and adoption and welcomes Jami Kaeb.

Jami’s Excitement for Sharing (00:00:34)
Jami shares her enthusiasm for discussing her passions with others.

Host’s Personal Experience (00:01:26)
The host reflects on their upbringing with foster siblings and the impact it had on them.

Creation of The Forgotten Initiative (00:02:08)
Jami explains her journey that led to the founding of The Forgotten Initiative.

Changing Perspectives on Adoption (00:02:50)
Jami discusses her initial misconceptions about adoption and how her heart changed over time.

Challenges in Domestic Adoption (00:04:56)
Jami shares her struggles with domestic adoption and the emotional journey it entailed.

Awareness of Foster Care (00:06:36)
Jami recounts how her understanding of foster care developed during her journey.

God’s Role in Jami’s Journey (00:07:07)
Jami reflects on her faith and how it guided her through challenges in the adoption process.

Preparing for the Journey (00:08:42)
Jami discusses the nurturing qualities that prepared her for her journey in foster care.

The Forgotten Initiative’s Goal (00:09:58)
Jami outlines the overarching mission of The Forgotten Initiative.

Supporting Foster Care Workers (00:10:53)
Jami explains the importance of supporting caseworkers in the foster care system.

Advocacy and Community Engagement (00:11:57)
Jami describes how advocates connect churches with foster care agencies.

Future Goals for The Forgotten Initiative (00:13:39)
Jami shares ambitious goals for community engagement and support for children in foster care.

Church and Agency Collaboration (00:15:43)
Trig emphasizes the need for collaboration between churches and foster care agencies.

Awareness, Encouragement, and Advocacy (00:16:32)
Jami discusses her strategies to promote awareness and support for foster care workers.

Dependence on Jesus (00:16:43)
Jami highlights the importance of spiritual dependence in serving the foster care community.

Church Involvement Process (00:18:25)
Jami outlines the steps for churches to get involved with The Forgotten Initiative.

Support for Local Churches (00:19:09)
Jami explains how TFI supports local churches without adding burdens to church leaders.

Training and Resources for Advocates (00:20:09)
Jami describes the training and resources provided to advocates in churches.

Funding for The Forgotten Initiative (00:21:03)
Jami clarifies that TFI is not government-funded and relies on fundraising for support.

Encouragement for Agencies (00:21:11)
Trig encourages agencies to utilize The Forgotten Initiative as a valuable resource for support.

Jami’s Journey (00:21:59)
Jami shares her unexpected journey into foster care work and the insecurities she faced in leadership.

Bonding with Adopted Children (00:22:04)
Jami discusses her initial feelings after adopting her son and the realization of unconditional commitment.

Leadership Lessons (00:23:02)
She reflects on her leadership journey, emphasizing integrity, humility, and reliance on God.

Future Goals for TFI (00:24:05)
Jami outlines her aspirations for the next year, aiming for more advocates and increased community support.

Advice for Pursuing Passion (00:25:15)
Jami offers three key pieces of advice for listeners struggling to follow their passion and purpose.

Abiding with Jesus (00:25:34)
She stresses the importance of spending time with God and trusting Him with one’s desires.

Building a Supportive Community (00:26:02)
Jami highlights the necessity of surrounding oneself with honest and supportive people.

Taking Action (00:27:04)
She encourages listeners to take steps towards their passions, emphasizing learning through mistakes.

Contact Information (00:27:36)
Jami shares how listeners can connect with her and follow The Forgotten Initiative online.

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