Like Christmas in July

By Sadie Elliott, CarePortal intern

We are often blessed by stories shared by church members at active CarePortal churches. We hear how meeting a need has impacted them personally, and we hear how their gift has affected the family in need. These are invaluable and inspiring stories. But what if we looked through the lens of child welfare workers? How do they feel about CarePortal? How do they feel when the church meets a need?

Child welfare workers carry the weight of multiple cases. Imagine thinking upon 20 – nay 30! – families who are struggling to stay together. Child welfare workers bear the burden of determining when children should be removed from the home. This is a difficult burden to bear.

One Oklahoma child welfare worker shared with us about a family who delivered beds to one of the families in her caseload. The family described the recipient’s reaction to the beds:

“Like Christmas morning in July, the kids were on cloud nine. The new beds being delivered were like brand new toys, and all the kids wanted to do was ‘help’ assemble them. Happiness overflowed at the thought that they now had beds to make.

Their mom stood in the corner watching her kids help each other put sheets on their new beds. Amidst the excitement and the hustle, her son came over and hugged her. Looking up at his mom he said, ‘See? Everything’s better now, Momma.’ And indeed, everything was better because Momma now had beds to tuck her kids into at night.”

The child welfare worker said, “It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for what you do and for this incredible gift to this family.”

It’s a beautiful thing when the church and state can work together. Church and state collaboration means that this family can stay in the home together.

Why care for children in need? Why take the time out of your busy schedule to deliver a crib to or pay a bill for someone you’ve never met? For one Oklahoma family, these are easy questions to answer. To help a family. To encourage a child welfare worker. To simply love. This story is their WHY.

Seeking to help those in your community? Contact us here >> for more information.