History of 4KIDS

In 1997, a movement began to end the foster care crisis in Broward County. Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale formed a recruitment and support ministry for foster families called Child S.H.A.R.E to recruit Christian foster families from the community. Shortly after, the Stacy Foundation launched Project TeamWork 4KIDS under the leadership of Rick Englert, becoming the first Christian foster care agency with the vision of bringing the South Florida church community together.

In 2000, Project TeamWork 4KIDS opened SafePlace Broward. SafePlace was designed as a 24/7 emergency intake center created to provide a loving and caring environment for children while they await placement in a foster home. As the South Florida community continued to see a need for foster homes that could support large sibling groups and teenagers, family-style homes, Girls Place and Kids Place, were also created.

By 2003, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s foster care ministry, Child S.H.A.R.E., His Caring Place, and Project TeamWork 4KIDS merged to create 4KIDS of South Florida. As 4KIDS continued to grow, they saw another opportunity to make an impact on the community by launching 4KIDS Spirit of Success Institute, designed for young adults aging out of foster care. This two-year program gives young adults the opportunity to finish high school, get jobs, start college, and supports their transition out of foster care.

4KIDS Palm Beach opened in 2006, supporting and recruiting foster families in Palm Beach County as the vision began to spread. Shortly after, two more family-style homes were created in Palm Beach County to keep sibling groups together. SafePlace Palm Beach opened in 2015, creating a safe environment for children in Palm Beach when they are removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment and waiting for placement.

4KIDS EPIC Therapeutic Approach was launched in 2014, bringing more children and families into hope-filled healing by addressing the Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, and Character (EPIC) based needs of children. Seeing a need for more Christian foster families, 4KIDS once again expanded to create 4KIDS Treasure Coast, serving families in Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Indian River Counties.

4KIDS is propelled by the vision of a home for every child. Whether that is a child removed from their home for the first time, siblings who need to stay together, a young mom in an unplanned pregnancy who needs a refuge, or a young adult who needs a place to belong, 4KIDS is there with hope, homes and healing.

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