Tamarisk

The primary way we’ve committed to care for the vulnerable in our city is through our foster and adoption care ministry. This ministry exists to bring awareness, support and hope in the name of Jesus to people before, during and after foster care and adoption. It is a privilege to partner with Tamarisk — a nonprofit that seeks to provide support and care to those who have aged out of the foster care system. Here’s an update from their co-founder Lauren Clark:

We launched Tamarisk in November of 2024 and for the past year we've been meeting every week, getting to know our people and building this community for young adults who have been impacted by foster care and adoption. It's been a joy - we've laughed and cried and prayed and driven countless miles (we provide transportation, ha!) and have known God more in this work because He is here! We've seen hearts soften towards the Gospel, we've seen our young people experience real belonging, friendship and community, we've prayed over our people, over one of our girls' apartments, and over many many meals. We've earned the right to be heard and to speak wisdom and discernment into their lives.

Something that's important to us as a ministry is to provide individualized support and care, based on each person's unique needs. On a Saturday several months back, one of our leaders took one of our girls shopping to get some new clothes, some groceries and then she spent some time teaching this participant how to meal prep. Afterwards, this participant was telling me that she could not believe that this leader gave up her whole Saturday just for her. She was so honored and said no one had ever taken her shopping before. She told me that it reminded her of God's love for the one sheep that went astray. That God loves, pursues and sees the one. That He died for everyone, and for the one.

The young people who come to Tamarisk have endured significant challenges, many of which we cannot "fix." We're here to enter into the mess, provide support and community and to make sure they know they're not alone. It's a huge gift to be a part of. A few ways we'd love partnership in prayer is:  

1) A few of our participants who are not followers of Jesus - would you join us in praying that God would continue softening their hearts and bringing them to Himself? 

2) We are believing God for a Tamarisk House! We want to continue digging deep into community and have a vision for a home away from home for our folks. 

3) For our end of year banquet that's on December 9th! That God would bless the evening, and there would be ripple effects that stem from this evening of sharing stories and vision. 

Lauren Clark | Tamarisk Co-Founder & Executive Director

Eric & Conner Carboni | Co-Founders