For most of us, golf is a game. For a foster child, it could be a lifeline.
That’s the message Dr. Leon Battle, One More Child’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, shared on the Foster Guy Florida Golf Show. Hosted by PGA professional and former foster child Tom Shay and broadcaster JP Peterson, the conversation revealed how a simple round of golf can open the door to mentorship, stability, and hope.
On the podcast, Leon pulled back the curtain on the reality facing Florida’s foster children: 14,964 are in out-of-home care right now, many arriving at foster homes with nothing more than a garbage bag of belongings. Through programs like our Foster Care wraparound initiative—known as Foster Crews—One More Child equips churches, businesses, and community groups to meet the urgent needs of foster families through provision of meals, clothing, diapers, toys, encouragement, and more.
Drawing from his years investigating trafficking cases at Florida’s Department of Children and Families, Leon shed light on another hard truth: the connection between children in foster care and children who fall into a life of exploitation. He explained how foster children and runaways are among the most vulnerable to human trafficking because traffickers will prey on their isolation and lack of community support. One More Child enters into these devastating situations to walk alongside survivors, offering hope and a path to healing. Our anti-trafficking programs provide counseling, education, advocacy, and peer mentorship from women who’ve walked the same road and have found freedom after enduring a life of exploitation.
But the goal of this podcast isn’t simply to inform, but rather to invite and prompt us to action.
Leon reminded listeners, “Every foster kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.”
Whether that means forming a “Golf Foster Crew” at your local country club, donating new clothes or equipment, mentoring a child, or supporting our programs financially, the path to changing a life starts with one small step.
You can take that step today. Learn more about how to get involved with One More Child.