I Quit My Job to Start a Nonprofit for Foster Families

Summary

A woman left her teaching job to establish a nonprofit, Moving Mountains Ministry, aimed at supporting foster families in Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes, after feeling a divine calling to address the critical shortage of foster homes in the area.

Abstract

The author of the web content describes her transformative journey from being a teacher to founding Moving Mountains Ministry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding foster families. Prompted by a spiritual calling in November 2018, she and her husband, Nathan, embarked on this mission amidst uncertainties in their personal lives. Despite the lack of clarity, they stepped out in faith, recognizing the dire need for foster families in their community. The statistics were alarming: out of 179 certified homes in the two parishes, only a fraction were available to take in more children. This revelation compelled her to act, and with divine confirmation and community support, she launched Moving Mountains Ministry. The organization focuses on recruiting new foster families, securing church support, and providing tangible assistance such as renovating visitation rooms and supplying Christmas gifts. The founder redefined success, measuring it by the impact of her work rather than traditional employment, and she invites the public to follow the ministry's progress through their Facebook page.

Opinions

The author believes that God's calling often comes during times of uncertainty, requiring faith to act upon His work.
She emphasizes the importance of community support and the role of local churches in aiding foster families.
The author feels that the traditional definition of success, often tied to employment and income, should be reconsidered in favor of the impact and difference one makes in the lives of others.
She expresses a strong conviction that every child in foster care deserves a voice and support, and that changing the stigma surrounding foster children is crucial.
The author is passionate about her mission and is committed to standing with foster families, providing them with the necessary support and resources.

Because God Told Me To Do Just That

My students were completely baffled when I announced that I would not return to teach the next year. A student raised his hand and said, “So, you are quitting a job where you get a paycheck to start a nonprofit where you won’t get a paycheck? That makes absolutely no sense!” Sometimes we just have to jump in with both feet and hope for the best.

Let me go back to how this all began:

My husband and I have been certified foster parents since 2016. God began stirring my heart for the need for foster families in November of 2018. My husband, Nathan, was about to start a new job, and life was a little uncertain. These are often the times that God truly begins to shift things because that is when it takes the most faith to step out and do His work.

From the moment I told Nathan what was on my heart, he was on board and standing behind me in this very unclear vision that I had at the moment. He did not hesitate or question the things that I was feeling. I wasn’t really sure where this was going or what God was actually calling me to do, but I knew that something was shifting.

After I took a leap of faith and made a phone call to speak the desires of my heart, God really began revealing to me that the Tangipahoa/Washington Parish area was in desperate need of foster families, and that led me to some very sad numbers. In November of 2018 there were 179 certified homes in those two parishes. 83 of those are child specific which means only 96 are open homes. 66 of those 96 are at/over capacity. The 30 remaining homes are all in Tangipahoa Parish and only have availability for 1 child, but most of those 30 already have a high need child so they often say no to another child. That means that ALL 39 foster homes in Washington Parish are at capacity. These numbers made my heart break and I knew that this was a need that I could not ignore.

Weeks went by, and God repeatedly confirmed the things that I felt in my soul. People we don’t even know began to speak into this vision and provide the confirmation that I really needed. God strategically placed people in my path to ensure that I would not let the tremendous amount of fear I felt in my mind stop me from pursuing this huge thing He had placed in my heart.

God has shown me that these kids need someone that focuses on Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. A voice and a face to be in constant contact to help recruit new foster families and get local church support for these rural areas that are often forgotten. Someone that is willing to stand with current foster families and support them when they have a placement. Someone that is willing to be a voice for these kids. Someone that is willing to help plant a seed in someone’s heart that they ARE capable of opening their heart and home for one of these children. Someone that is willing to work to change the stigma that foster children often have on them by no fault of their own.

I am that someone, and that is how Moving Mountains Ministry was born.

Visit movingmountainsla.com for more information

That was a scary thought, but here I am making things happen. I have worked hard since 2019 to get the ministry running, and have done a lot of great projects along the way. I have supported foster families, renovated family visitation rooms, and provided Christmas gifts for multiple families.

I had to redefine my definition of success. I had to understand that the world defines success and accomplishments in an entirely different way. People will ask if I have a job, and I sort of laugh. I work, I help people constantly, and I am doing great things. Does this make it a job? I don’t think so. I have a mission- to help as many foster parents as possible.

Follow the ministry Facebook page to see all of the wonderful things this one mama has been able to do with the support of the community!