College Ministry
Becoming a Foster Student Family
What we are about
God has blessed Four Oaks with a large and growing number of College Students. We have a unique opportunity to touch the lives of these students during a crucial time as they prepare to join the rest of us “in the REAL world!” Last year we matched over twenty families with a student!
We are looking for families to make a one-year commitment to “adopt” one of our college students who are away from home and without family in the Tallahassee area.
Adoption means that you will invite your student into your home at least twice a month for a meal, and make an effort to get to know him or her, becoming someone local they can turn to for friendship, fellowship, prayerful support, and perhaps occasionally, for advice!
If you are willing to make this commitment as a family, please let us know! Complete and submit your application information through our college website. We will be letting the students know that “Adopt a Student” is beginning soon, and must know how many families are available in order to match kids and families.
If you were matched with a student last year and want to continue that adoption this year, please just send an email indicating this, with your name and your student’s name, so that we can be aware of the relationship!
A “Meet your Student Cookout” is planned for Sunday, October 7 after the 2nd service, at the home of the Cales, 6723 Treasure Oaks Circle. Maps are available at the College Table in the lobby.
All families who complete an on-line packet to adopt a student are invited to join us for an informal time of fellowship to welcome our students back! If you wish to continue an adoption, of course you are welcome to the cookout, too! Just email Dawn at the email below so we can prepare enough food!
For more information, call e-mail Dawn Cales or call at 850-309-1115
Suggested ideas for the Family
- Discover the student’s favorite foods and try to plan meals around them.
- Invite the student to meet you at the mall for a quick meal or a family shopping trip.
- Have the student join the family for a movie, either at the theatre or at home.
- Make an effort to learn something about the student’s major and its requirements.
- During exam weeks, put together a package of “goodies” for study time. This might include packets of hot chocolate, candy bars, microwave popcorn, hard candies, or $5 gift cards for coffee, frozen yogurt, fast food, etc. Just let them know you are thinking of them during the stressful week!
- Teach a student to care for a car, such a checking and changing the oil.
- Invite the student to join you in baking, sewing or some other activity around the house.
- If the student offers to help around the home and you can compensate him, do so. (Students can do a lot with $10!) Compensation could also be baked goods, mending a favorite piece of clothing, filling the student’s car with gas, or any of a number of things!
Most of all, our students need to know we are human, we are seeking God for our lives and we care about them, their situations, and their walk with the Lord. Sometimes a simple hug on Sunday morning from a familiar face can be the touch of God in a lonely life in a new town! And the reward might be a life-time friendship!