In January of 2017, a CASA volunteer brought heartbreaking stories of kids in foster care in Williamson County Ato the pastor of her church, The Journey Southern Illinois. He knew God’s people should be the ones to help. He had heard that a pastor friend in St. Clair county was doing something with foster care as a church, and he reached out to him.

The St. Clair pastor had partnered with The Restore Network. “They’re having a banquet next month,” he said. “Come with me and hear about what they’re doing.” After hearing the heart and mission behind The Restore Network, The Journey Southern Illinois became the first church to partner and launch The Restore Network in the Williamson County Area in July of 2018.

Today, there are 7 churches committed to serving children in foster care in Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Saline, and Williamson Counties.