New Foster Care Ministry

The Forgotten Initiative (TFI)

St. Bart’s is excited to announce the launch of a new outreach ministry in partnership with The Forgotten Initiative (TFI) — a national, ecumenical ministry that equips churches to support local foster care agencies through awareness, encouragement, and advocacy.

This ministry is being led by Bill Raeth, who is coordinating St. Bart’s efforts to serve foster children, families, and the caseworkers who care for them.

📧 Contact: bill.raeth@yahoo.com
📞 Phone: 803-640-8039

🌱 What Is The Forgotten Initiative?
The Forgotten Initiative helps churches become a bridge between foster care caseworkers and the real, everyday needs of vulnerable children and families. Through TFI, churches learn how to engage foster care in ways that are practical, compassionate, and grounded in the heart of Jesus. Rather than asking churches to “do everything,” TFI helps churches ask: What can we faithfully do — right here — to make a difference?

🙏 Already Making an Impact
St. Bart’s has already begun supporting this ministry by donating fast-food gift cards to help children entering foster care and those waiting for placement.

We recently received this heartfelt note from Gretchen Sawyer, a foster care caseworker we are supporting:
“The fast food gift cards that you provided will be used to feed kids that are taken into care (who are often hungry) and to feed those who have to wait to be placed in a home due to unavailability of foster homes in our area… While they are hanging out at the office waiting, they can at least be fed.”

“TFI connects the DSS office with local churches that want to help but don’t always know how. My job is to build a bridge between the two — and it’s a blessing to have a resource like St. Bart’s.”

🤝 A New Partnership: Hope for Our Schools × TFI
We are also thrilled to share that Hope for Our Schools, St. Bart’s outreach ministry led by Julie Bush, is now partnering with our TFI ministry on a Duffle Bag Project for children entering foster care.

🧳 The Duffle Bag Project
Twelve duffle bags will be filled with:
A stuffed animal
Toiletries
A blanket
A handwritten love note from St. Bart’s

These bags will be blessed and presented on First Responders Sunday, March 1, then distributed to children who are removed from their homes and need a safe, dignified way to carry their belongings. This project has already been made possible through: Donated Nike duffle bags, Donated stuffed animals, and Shared resources from the Hope for Our Schools Closet. It is a beautiful example of ministries working together for the good of our neighbors.