WIsesman House will aid children aging out of foster care.
On June 26, a group of 50 came out to celebrate the groundbreaking of a facility to house children who are transitioning out of the foster care system. Among those who turned over dirt were the community director for the Florida Department of Children and Families, Suncoast Region, and the Director of Community Relations for the Children’s Network of Hillsborough County. The home at 304 Waller Street will be named the Wiseman House. It is planned to be 2,500 square feet, and house eight kids plus residential parents. The current estimate to build it is $300,000.
The house will “….help these children find a home and teach them skills so they aren’t homeless and roaming the street,” Dr. Arie Sailor, One Church One Child Executive Director, and the event emcee, commented. “This project represents a significant step forward for One Church One Child, and the region, to provide additional housing and guidance for older youth who are in extended foster care or aging out of the system, to support them working toward self-sufficiency for a brighter future and hope.”
The vision of One Church One Child of Florida is to find one family in each church to adopt, foster, or mentor at least one child. It is a nonprofit, faith-based, child welfare organization governed by a volunteer board of directors appointed by the governor. The nonprofit works in partnership with churches, community-based care agencies, and the Florida Department of Children and Families to help increase permanency for children in foster care, and provide support for families in communities…