Wraparound support for vulnerable & foster families.
Family Made Whole partners with churches to build practical "villages" of care—supporting families before foster care is needed, during fostering, and after reunification. Church leaders: reach out to explore a partnership. Donors: help fund training, background checks, and respite nights so families receive care at no cost. Donate: copy/paste this link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/monthly-spt-team Rooted in caring for widows and orphans—single moms and children in crisis (James 1:27).
For more information on Wraparound Support, church partnerships, or volunteering — share your email and we'll reach out with next steps.
Our mission
We envision a community where every vulnerable family and foster family is surrounded with support, every church is empowered to serve, and every child experiences the hope and stability of God’s love through caring people.
The Crisis
The need is urgent, but “there’s nothing like the church, when the church is being the church.” — Dr. Alan Bixler
Up to 90% of churches have no foster families. Children enter care through neglect, families burn out without support, and youth age out with nowhere to turn. These are not statistics — they are our neighbors.
of children enter foster care due to neglect, not abuse — most cases are preventable.
of foster homes close in the first 2-3 years due to lack of resources and support.
of youth who age out of foster care fail to integrate into society.
“Up to 90% of churches have no foster families. Together, we can change this.”
Foster families don’t quit because they stopped caring — they quit because they’re exhausted and unsupported. 66% of foster homes close in the first 2-3 years. 66% of youth who age out of care fail to integrate into society. 63% of children enter foster care due to neglect, not abuse — meaning most of these cases are preventable with the right support.
Family Made Whole exists to change these numbers — one church, one family, one child at a time. This is the village every vulnerable family deserves.
Be Part of the SolutionServices
Partner with us to launch Support Teams in your church.
Our model is simple: a consistent support team. We help churches form a team of 4–6 households assigned to one family—like extended family (aunts, uncles, and grandparents). Each team commits to one meal per week, plus practical help (light housework, babysitting, occasional yard work) and steady encouragement. Partnership path: 1) Intro conversation, 2) Choose a next step (support team, training, respite night), 3) Background checks + onboarding (2–4 weeks), 4) Launch with ongoing guidance.
Prevention Support Teams
Support vulnerable families—often single moms with kids—before a crisis becomes foster care, by surrounding them with a trained 4–6 household support team committed to one meal per week and practical help.
Foster Family Support Teams
Reduce burnout by pairing foster families with a consistent support team committed to one meal per week, plus trauma-informed training (including CE options), mentorship, and respite nights.
Reunification Support Teams
Help reunified families stay strong and sustainable by building a long-term support team committed to one meal per week, ongoing check-ins, and practical help like babysitting, light housework, and occasional yard work.
Respite Care
Parents Day Out — a night off for caregivers who give everything.
Monthly 2–3 hour respite events where background-checked, trauma-trained volunteers provide safe and fun care for foster and vulnerable children so caregivers can simply rest. We've grown from 9 children in February to 35 in April — and we're just getting started.
- ·Free for all foster and vulnerable families
- ·Trauma-informed, background-checked volunteers only
- ·Held monthly, moving to biweekly
Emergency Care
Totes of Hope — so no child arrives with nothing.
When a child enters foster care, they often arrive with only the clothes on their back. Totes of Hope delivers next-day duffle bags filled with essential items — so every newly placed child has what they need from day one. Made possible through our partnership with One More Child.
- ·Next-day delivery for newly placed foster children
- ·Packed with age-appropriate essentials
- ·In partnership with One More Child
Birthday Program
Colleen's Cakes for Kids — every child deserves to be celebrated.
No child in foster care should have their birthday go unnoticed. Colleen's Cakes provides free birthday cakes to foster children, bringing joy and dignity on their most personal day. Named in honor of a dear supporter of this mission.
- ·Free birthday cakes for children in foster care
- ·Orders must be placed at least 14 days in advance
Coming Soon — Polk County Launch
Sleep in Heavenly Peace — no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.
Family Made Whole is launching the first-ever Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter in Polk County, FL — right here in the heart of Lakeland. Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a national nonprofit dedicated to building and delivering free, sturdy bunk beds to children who would otherwise sleep on the floor. Every child deserves a safe, comfortable place to sleep — and now Polk County will have a chapter making that a reality, in partnership with Heartland for Children and One More Child.
- ·First SHP chapter in Polk County — based in Lakeland, FL
- ·Free beds built and delivered by trained volunteers
- ·In partnership with Heartland for Children and One More Child
- ·Volunteer build days open to churches and community groups
Benefits
Why churches and donors partner with Family Made Whole
We combine lived foster care experience with a clear, church-friendly structure so your support becomes consistent care that strengthens families and protects children.
Over 200 children served
Your partnership helps create stability for children and families through consistent wraparound support.
Simple, safe, repeatable model for churches
We provide clear roles, onboarding, and background-check guidance so teams can serve confidently and consistently.
Donor dollars go to practical, measurable care
Your giving helps fund training, background checks, respite nights, and wraparound support.
About Us
A faith-based nonprofit built to strengthen families before, during, and after foster care
Family Made Whole was started by a married couple with decades of marriage and parenting ministry experience and a deep foster care journey—raising three biological children, five adopted children, and fostering 73 children. Along the way, we saw the same pattern: vulnerable families need support before a crisis, foster families need a steady village to prevent burnout, and reunified families need ongoing encouragement to stay strong. Today, we partner with churches and community organizations to provide training, mentorship, respite care, and wraparound support—strengthening families in crisis and creating stability for vulnerable children. We currently serve Polk County and are expanding soon.
Our Partners
Contact Us
Church leaders: explore a partnership. Donors: support Support Teams + respite nights. Donate link (copy/paste): https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/monthly-spt-team Volunteers: serve through your church. Reach out—we'll respond quickly with next steps.
FAQ
Common questions from churches, donors, and community partners. If you don’t see your question here, contact us—happy to help.
Yes. We’re a faith-based nonprofit and we partner with churches to serve families in practical, relationship-first ways. Our heart aligns with James 1:27—caring for widows and orphans (single moms and children in crisis) with integrity and compassion.
Most partnerships start with a conversation about your capacity and interests. From there, we help you choose a clear next step—like forming a wraparound support team, sponsoring a training, or hosting a respite night. We provide onboarding, role clarity, and guidance along the way.
Donations help fund training, background checks, respite nights, and wraparound support coordination—so families can receive care at no cost. We’re committed to stewarding resources with transparency and measurable impact.
Yes. Anyone serving in roles connected to children or families must complete appropriate background checks as child workers. We’ll guide churches and volunteers through the process.