Family Advocacy Ministry
F.A.M. exists to care for vulnerable children by walking alongside foster and adoptive families.
Foster Family Care
Due to opioid and other addictions, homelessness, abuse and neglect, hundreds of children in our four-county area need foster care every year. Through Care Communities we partner with foster families offering practical help, encouragement, and prayer. West Shore Free Church helps parents and children in crisis with deep love, hope and support to keep their families intact. Our vision is to have more waiting and equipped foster families than there are waiting and vulnerable children.
Adoptive Family Care
Our Adoptive Family Care focuses on nurturing healthy family relationships, building biblical community, and providing times of rest for adoptive families.
Camp 3:14
Camp 3:14 is an adoptive family camp planned specifically for adoptive parents, their adopted children and their biological children. All children must be at least 5 years old by October 9th, 2026. Pastor Tim Smith, Disabilities Pastor at West Shore Free Church, will be our guest speaker. He will talk about how having a Plan B life can become a Plan A life with Jesus. I believe his testimony will resonate with everyone there whether they’re a parent or child.
The camp will start in the evening of October 9 and end after a morning worship service on Sunday, October 11th at Pine Springs Camp, 371 Pine Springs Camp Rd, Jennerstown, PA 15547. The cost is $65 per person and that includes all food and activities. West Shore Free Church is graciously covering the lodging cost. Each family gets their own cabin, which sleeps up to 12 people.
If you think your family would be interested in joining us this Fall, please contact Laura Bibighaus at laurabibighaus@icloud.com or 719-339-6477 (note that the area code is 719 not 717). Space is limited, so please reach out as soon as possible to secure a spot.
The Five Ways You Can Be Involved
You can join West Shore Free Church in addressing the needs of vulnerable children and families in five primary ways.
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Pray
Go before God with us. Here’s a prayer guide.
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Prevent
Support local area partners, particularly those engaged in opioid/addiction, homelessness and other root causes of family disruption. Our Beyond Addiction ministry provides a wealth of resources on battling addiction.
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Become a Host Family
Host families temporarily host children and provide a network of support to families in crisis while they get back on their feet. Unlike fostering, biological parents can choose to reunite with their children at any time. We participate alongside Safe Families for Children.
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Become a Foster Family
Foster families accept temporary custody of children removed by their county, providing a safe, stable and loving family to live with while the court determines what’s best. We participate alongside the Bair Foundation by encouraging and supporting people at our church who are willing to become foster parents.
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Join a Care Community for a Host or Foster Family
Each Host Family and Foster Family needs a Care Community of about five people, including a coordinator, who can provide babysitting, house cleaning, meal delivery and other vital assistance to help them succeed.