This document discusses the problem of homeless infants and toddlers in foster care in Oklahoma, and introduces the Anna's House Foundation as a solution. The Foundation aims to recruit Christian foster families committed to long-term care of babies, maintain support networks for these families, and help families adopt when reunification is not possible. It notes that there are over 10,500 children in Oklahoma's child welfare system, with 1,600 being infants and toddlers, and on average these babies will live in 5 places before their first birthday due to a shortage of regular foster homes. The Foundation exists to improve lives of babies in foster care by addressing this problem.

2. Fostering Families, Fostering Babies, Fostering HOPE

3. “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

4. A Big Problem…

5. The plight of homeless, poverty-stricken children around the world is well known… But few realize the suffering of the thousands of babies and young toddlers right here in Oklahoma.

6. Currently, there are more than 10,500 children in the Oklahoma Child Welfare System.

7. Some 1600 of these children are infants and young toddlers right here in Oklahoma County.

8. In Oklahoma County, there are less than 300 regular foster families. Due to this shortage of homes, Oklahoma infants and toddlers are bounced from foster home to shelter and back again. On average, an Oklahoma infant in foster care will live in 5 places… BEFORE his or her FIRST BIRTHDAY.

9. The lasting emotional damage inflicted upon these children is unspeakable. These babies grow up never having a place to call home… Never having a “mommy” or “daddy”… …and all too often they will never establish the healthy emotional bond God intended with a mother.

10. “ Religion that God, our Father, accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” James 1:27

11. A Tiny Solution…

12. On January 1st, 2007, one very tiny, very sick little baby girl entered the world, weighing just under 3 lbs, at the Oklahoma County Jail. She would soon become the inspiration for a “tiny little idea” that the Lord soon grew into something greater than anyone could have expected.

13. “…love the Lord your God and walk in all his ways…serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

16. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

17. If one family… from every Oklahoma church… opened ONE bed… …every Oklahoma children’s shelter would be empty tonight.

18. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” -Matthew 9:37 What Now?

19. “…for what you have done unto the least of these, you do unto me.” --Matthew 25:40

20. PowerPoint by Caroline Harkins The Anna’s House Foundation P.O Box 21111 Oklahoma City, OK 73156 http://www.annashousefoundation.org/ “What Now” words and music by Steven Curtis Chapman, © 2004 Sparrow Records