The Alliance is committed to helping faith communities connect with the at risk children in their neighborhoods.
Besides ministering to the needs of their congregations, over the years our faith communities have helped start the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Interfaith Emergency Services (ministry to those in economic crises), a ministry to incarcerated youth and adults and ministries to those battling addictions.
History of the Faith Community Network
The Department of Juvenile Justice started the Faith Community Network in 1998 to help children, youth and families at risk in a holistic way. Out of this group the Marion County Childrens Alliance was born. The Faith Community Network then began to function as a workgroup of the Childrens Alliance.
Through the years it has been a forum for exploring the needs of children and families at risk. It has been a place to help understand what the agencies in our community are doing for children, youth and families at risk. It has also been a support group for individuals working with those at risk. At present the group is meeting monthly.
Liaison to the Faith Community
Since June 2008, Rev. Jim Bullock has been working closely with the Alliance to connect churches and the children served by the Alliance.
Rev. Bullock recently retired after 18 years as Pastor of the Ft. King Presbyterian Church in Ocala.
Throughout his years in ministry he has been involved in numerous efforts to assist the needy. Besides adopting children he and his wife were strong voices for those with no voice. Likewise, it was because of his efforts that the Childrens Alliance itself was formed.
At this time Rev. Bullock has an office at the Alliance and works on a daily basis to involve local churches in meeting the needs of children in our community. In addition he organizes the activities of the Faith Community Network and the Mentoring Workgroup. Rev. Bullock can be contacted at Monday - Thursday at 438-5997.
Activities of the Faith Community
Afterschool Care
A good option for one person or a congregation - helping a child with their reading; giving homework assistance; or being a friend; can change a life. The activity could be held at your church building. Call Nancy Castillo 438-5992 for more information.
Foster Care & Adoption
Take a baby, a toddler, a teenager into your home. Learn what is involved from Kids Central, Inc. Call 873-6332 or consider Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) where you become the child's representative in the court system. Call Karla Grimsley at 369-2525 for more information.
Adopt A School
A good opportunity for an entire church; work with a principal to meet the needs of the most at-risk children. Collecting food or clothing; assisting single mothers and volunteering at school are all possibilities.
Financial Support
The Alliance helps families when they call our office with specific needs. Funds are always needed to be of assistance to them.
Faith Community Network (FCN) meeting time is the 2nd Wednesday of each month at noon. For more information contact Rev. Jim Bullock at 438-5997.
