Josie and Julian Perez live in the 5th street community where they serve as local pastors at Iglesia la Vida en Cristo. The 5th street community is a low income, vulnerable area of Ft. Bend County. In the 5th street community, there are many needs: needs for food, needs for clothing, needs for jobs, needs for income, needs for justice, but most of all a need for hope. Josie and Julian have served in the 5th street community for over 16 years offering hope to the community. They offer after-school care during the school year, provide a place for kids to receive tutoring and an after-school snack. They give rides to women who don’t have transportation to go to the doctor. They have helped repair homes, kept people from having their cars repossessed, advocated for people who have little to no voice. In the last 7 years, they have adopted 2 children in need of a loving home, who they now call their own.
Recently in their community, a young mother had her 8 children taken away through Child Protective Services due to concern for their safety. Instead of finding next of kin to take the children, the mother asked Josie and Julian to care for her children. Josie and Julian have taken in the younger 4 of the 8 children, all of which are 5 years of age and under. CPS and the children’s attorney have placed the children in Josie and Julian’s care for at least the next year while the mother and father are offered a chance to get help. Josie and Julian have grown children, who have their own children, and now they have a total of 6 kids, 5 of which are under the age of 5, living in their home. During talks with Josie, she is always listening for God’s guidance for her next steps. For now, she knows she is supposed to love the children who have been placed in her care and provide a safe place for them. Due to the nature of the placement of the children, Josie and Julian are not receiving any financial assistance from the foster system for keeping the children.
We believe gifting this family with a monetary donation will bless the Perez family who have selflessly stepped up to meeting the daily needs of the children. Not only will we bless the Perez family, but the children in their care, and the entire community in which Josie and Julian continue to tirelessly serve.
Comentários