The Riverside Project

When we are strategically positioned at different points along the River to address the many contributing factors to Houston’s overwhelmed foster care system, we are able to make a difference helping families heal and children thrive across our city. Each of us have a role to play in our community, and today we'd like to introduce you to The Waters family! Tyler and Laura Waters attend Houston’s First Baptist Church Sienna and help lead a Bible study class of 50 individuals that are committed to seeing their group care for our city’s most vulnerable. Together, they work to meet many needs throughout our city. One of the Waters’ favorite memories of serving along the River is the opportunity they had to collect home goods for an apartment complex for young adults who were formerly involved with the foster care system. They shared, “When we delivered the items, we had the chance to interact with a young lady. It kicked off a long-term relationship and we have had the honor of learning her story. Although we greatly grieve the tragedy she has experienced, we celebrate the redemption and recovery.” If you are considering how you can serve our community along the River, Tyler and Laura would encourage you with this: “Pray over the vulnerable, start small, and allow God to open the doors for your specific talents and interests. Remember, you have a calling but be prepared to accept your limits. You can’t be everything for everyone. Doing what you can is always better than giving up or doing nothing because it seems too overwhelming. Small investments yield big returns over time.” We are so thankful for people just like Waters who come together to make a difference. It doesn’t take long to see how each of us can pursue the same mission in different but equally important ways! Have you found your place along the River yet? Read more stories and ways to get involved at https://lnkd.in/gsHABKCe

Transracial adoption is not a new topic to The Riverside Project Podcast. We had the honor of speaking with Isaac Etter in a past episode on this topic and today we are talking with his adoptive mother, Julie. Julie Etter and her husband are adoptive parents. They have five children—two through adoption and three biologically. Julie is a beloved speaker on this topic of transracial adoption and the ups and downs her family has experienced. As a history teacher by trade, Julie loves to read and finds anything about history riveting. Her favorite way to spend her time is with her family and although she isn’t supposed to have favorites, her grandchild holds a special place in her heart. In this episode, we continue the conversation on: 🎧 transracial adoption 🎧 the importance of mentors who can support you 🎧 some of the struggles parents and children may go through 🎧 key resources you should be aware of and more! Listen in here: https://lnkd.in/gJY4nvAb

Exciting news! Our documentary, As One, has been nominated for a regional Emmy! 🎉 As One amplifies the voice of Houston’s children and families in foster care, highlighting the collaboration between agencies, attorneys, families, churches, and community partners, all working together to bring healing and hope. The stories that result from this collaboration are beautiful. We are deeply grateful to Nathan Cadis Media for their team's incredible talent that helped make this film what it is. Watch it right here at riversideproject.org/asone!

This past Sunday, our Church Mobilization team had the privilege of attending the “Spread Hope Fair” at Seven Mile Road, a fantastic opportunity for us to connect directly with their House Church Leaders. We are so grateful for all that Seven Mile does in our city and for their continued vision to see Houston as a place where families heal and children thrive. At the fair we were able to share information about The Riverside Project, which the House Church Leaders can take back to their groups. Over the past year, these house churches have made a meaningful impact by: → supporting youth who have aged out of foster care → helping them transition into their first apartments → supporting group homes → caring for kinship and biological families → and providing vital support to our efforts in serving children across the city! Seven Mile, thank you for the key support you offer our city along the River!

How do we flip our assumption to a "yes" rather than a "no?" We're grateful for this conversation with Jason Johnson diving into our understanding of the Gospel and what it looks like to live it out. Too often we are waiting around for God's "yes" to propel us forward, but what might happen if we keep moving unless we hear a "no?" How would things change in our churches if we adopted this way of thinking? The good news is that you don't have to try to mobilize your church alone! Our Church Leader Training is coming up at the end of October and this is the first step to learning how to connect, equip, and mobilize your congregation to meet the needs of the vulnerable children and families. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/g_HVmchA

New on the blog! ✍️ When the community comes together to make a difference, it doesn’t take long to see how each of us can pursue the same mission in different but equally important ways. We should not all be doing the same thing. Instead, we should be strategically positioned at different points along the River to address the many contributing factors to Houston’s overwhelmed foster care system. Our Response Network team reached out to a few of our dedicated volunteers, passionate people, and church community members. We asked for their answers to a few questions and were blown away by their hearts to serve. As we often say, “Things that matter are hard.” But we don’t have to do them alone. These volunteers are examples of how each of us can do something. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gsHABKCe

Families do not thrive in isolation. They need resources, friends, and relatives to walk with them through life's joys, sorrows, and daily uncertainties. But how can we discover how to best help them? We've created a resource to help you do just that! Our Family Profile Form does two things: 1️⃣ Help families voice their needs and preferences 2️⃣ Show communities how they can best serve and support them This resource is totally free and asks questions like: → What meals does your family enjoy? → Do you have any upcoming doctor visits or busy days? → What household tasks would be particularly helpful if provided? → Do you need a mentor of the same ethnicity as your child? → How can we pray for you and your family? → and much more! Access the Family Profile resource right here: https://lnkd.in/giDjRKts

Teamwork makes the dream work. 💙 It might be an overused quote, but we sure are glad this team is ours. We had a great time heading to Nashville for the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) Summit last week! Here's to pressing on in helping families heal and children thrive back home in Houston!

When a child experiences trauma, loss, or abuse, their ability to trust is damaged. It's important when a child has experienced trauma that we respond appropriately to what that child needs. But knowing what they need is no easy task. Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)® seeks to repair and nurture healing relationships. It helps you interpret and provide what a child needs. We offer regular training right here in Harris County to learn about Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) and earn CEU credits. This interactive, hands-on training will equip you with the necessary tools to connect, empower, and correct in any field! Find the next available training → https://lnkd.in/g_tQvtKk

Recently, our Director of Agency Partnerships Kathleen Cowie completed a TBRI® training for AOC Outreach Services. We loved getting to collaborate with this incredible team! AOC Outreach Services is an outpatient behavioral health agency treating children and adolescents with mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. Their services are provided onsite, in-home, and within the community, and provide for increased care coordination through linkage and referrals to specialty providers. It's powerful to imagine how being further trained in TBRI® and trauma-informed care will empower their staff to help children thrive and families heal. It was an honor to spend time with them! We have an Introduction to TBRI® session coming up on October 4th which you can register for at https://lnkd.in/g_tQvtKk #tbri #traumainformedcare #houstontx