History of 4KIDS
4KIDS is celebrating 25 years on a mission to provide HOPE for kids in crisis with a bold vision to provide a HOME for EVERY Child. Through the faithful work of thousands of advocates, financial partners, foster parents, volunteers, and others, we have served over 30,000 children, teens, and young adults.
Scroll through to see how our story has unfolded through the years!
In 1997, a movement ​began to end the foster care crisis in Broward County. Irene Grabowski, who had a heart for children in crisis, called upon her church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, to be part of the solution. This church then formed a recruitment and support ministry called Child S.H.A.R.E to encourage Christians in their local community to become foster parents.
In 1999, 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, a 24/7 emergency intake center created to provide a loving and caring environment for children while they awaited 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, two specialized homes, 4KIDS Girls Place and 4KIDS Kids Place were created in 2002 and 2003. At this point, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s foster care ministry, Child S.H.A.R.E., His Caring Place, and Project TeamWork 4KIDS all merged to create 4KIDS of South Florida.
In 2005, 4KIDS Independent Living (SOSI) is launched, a residential program designed for young adults aging out of foster care and in need of support as they transition into adulthood. This two-year program gives young adults the opportunity to finish high school, get jobs, start college, and find spiritual and emotional well-being.
4KIDS Palm Beach opened in 2006, supporting and recruiting foster families in Palm Beach County as the vision began to spread. In 2009, two more family-style homes were created in Palm Beach County to keep sibling groups together, thanks to the generosity of the late Arthur Remillard.
In 2011, hundreds of community members come together to build a brand new His Caring Place maternity home, the Miracle Home for young women experiencing a crisis pregnancy or parenting young children and at-risk of homelessness.
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.
In 2016, Home for 4KIDS was built in Broward County to provide a permanent home for 4KIDS administrative offices and headquarters. Millions of dollars were donated by the Wasie Foundation, and dozens of other businesses, foundations, and churches to be able to create this beautiful space where families and children could find hope, homes, and healing. In 2017, 4KIDS celebrated it's 20th Anniversary and its impact of more than 25,000 lives.
In 2020, 4KIDS launched a partnership with CarePortal to promote family preservation and the prevention of children entering the foster care system. Through CarePortal, 4KIDS recruits and trains dozens of churches and individuals to meet the tangible needs of families who are struggling in our community. In 2021, 4KIDS expanded to Southwest Florida, serving children and families in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties. As we continue growing beyond, it is our aim to continue to shine forward,
until every child has a home.
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed.
- Psalm 82:3