BRIDGE A LIFE, INC.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FLORIDA

Who We Are Our Mission Christ followers provide for children who have been abused, abandoned, orphaned, or neglected so that they are loved in fully-equipped families, bringing about healing and generational change. Bridge a Life Staff Jody and her husband, Ray, are parents to eight wonderful children. After having two biological children, Jody and Ray thought their family was complete. But God had other plans! Through the local foster care system, God added to their family a sibling group of six children through the blessing of adoption. Jody loves Bridge a Life's acknowledgement that not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can do something to help orphans locally and globally. Safe Families for Children of Sarasota/Bradenton is a faith-based foster care diversion initiative helping families facing a crisis, further upstream. Since its inception in 2003 SFFC has been instrumental in lightening the burden of an overflowing welfare system nationwide. SFFC is comprised of the Church, the body of Christ and the individuals that make up the body stepping out and welcoming a child into their home for a temporary time… and we could use your help. We are actively recruiting volunteers to serve as Host Families, Family Coaches, Resource Friends, Family Friends, Ministry Leads and Church Partners. Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, The Porch Light and Orphan’s Heart provide Christ-centered services to children and families in need. In 2017, we had the privilege of impacting more than 175,000 children and individuals and serving more than 5 million meals domestically and internationally. Whether it’s getting involved in foster care, helping a single mom be brave, sponsoring a child, or feeding and educating children and families on a mission trip or through Compassion Ministries, we invite you to help us give hope to One More Child! Safe Children Coalition, under the leadership of the Sarasota YMCA, is the lead child welfare agency for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. As the child welfare contract holder with Florida DCF, Safe Children Coalition provides oversight and leadership for the entire foster care project. Child protection services provided include case management, foster care, independent living and adoptions. We welcome diverse families, including singles to our foster and adoption programs. Our homes foster infants, children and teens ages 0-17 according to the wishes of the foster family. Children available for adoption are typically older, have special needs or are part of a sibling group. We are a Christ-centered non-profit foster care licensing agency dedicated to glorifying God by restoring the local body of Christ as the leader in serving those children in our community who have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. Specifically, we recruit, train, license, and support Christian foster families. If someone is considering becoming a foster parent we would love to share more information along with next steps. There is also a significant need for church partners, those churches willing to host foster care orientations and classes. Who We Are Our Mission Christ followers provide for children who have been abused, abandoned, orphaned, or neglected so that they are loved in fully-equipped families, bringing about healing and generational change. Bridge a Life Staff Jody and her husband, Ray, are parents to eight wonderful children. After having two biological children, Jody and Ray thought their family was complete. But God had other plans! Through the local foster care system, God added to their family a sibling group of six children through the blessing of adoption. Jody loves Bridge a Life's acknowledgement that not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can do something to help orphans locally and globally. Who We Are Our Mission Christ followers provide for children who have been abused, abandoned, orphaned, or neglected so that they are loved in fully-equipped families, bringing about healing and generational change. Bridge a Life Staff Jody and her husband, Ray, are parents to eight wonderful children. After having two biological children, Jody and Ray thought their family was complete. But God had other plans! Through the local foster care system, God added to their family a sibling group of six children through the blessing of adoption. Jody loves Bridge a Life's acknowledgement that not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can do something to help orphans locally and globally. Help for Families We believe that well-supported families are successful families. That’s why we provide services and training opportunities to help adoptive and foster parents win the day! Here are a few ways we do that… Just received a child or need help? The Stew Crew team coordinates, prepares, and delivers free meals to foster and adoptive families. From our Super Hero 5K to our Annual Fundraiser Dinner, we offer creative events that raise awareness and funding to help families. Please consider giving to our ongoing efforts. We will use the funds wisely to fulfill our mission to support foster and adoptive families. Paint a wall or swing a hammer for a good cause! Consider helping with simple home repairs on our Hammer Time team. From our Annual Super Hero 5K to our ongoing trainings and events, we always need some extra hands to help us serve. Provide Childcare One of the biggest ways we help foster and adoptive familes is by providing safe, professional childcare at our events and trainings.