Staff photo / Bob Coupland Jonathan Nelson, right, an award winning Gospel singer and songwriter, performs at the recent Night of Hope event at Second Baptist Church in Warren, which focused on helping Trumbull County Children Services find foster and adoptive families for local children. Pastor Todd Johnson, left, also was recognized at the event for his service to the church as he will be leaving for a new assignment in New York City.

WARREN — Helping to find foster families cared for by Trumbull County Children Services was part of the effort by Second Baptist Church in Warren, which hosted its annual Night of Hope gala.

Pastor Todd Johnson of Second Baptist Church “A House of Hope” said the staff at Trumbull County Children Services work with the children in need each day. The event’s goal is to bring awareness and advocacy to foster care and adoption.

The theme was “Hope for the Future.”

“Their work and sacrifice is making a difference in the lives of children. They go out at all hours to help the children. They go out in the middle of the night when they receive a call and get those children and put them in a safe place,” Johnson said.

He said the annual event demonstrates how the public can help support the work of Trumbull County Children Services.

Ann Marie Mendenhall of Trumbull County Children Services said the agency appreciates being part of the special event.

“Pastor Todd has been a big supporter of ours throughout the years. He knows the need in the community and that we need foster parents. He helps us get that message out there,” Mendenhall said.

She said anyone who is considering being a foster parent can contact the agency.

“We need people who care for children and have a love for parenting. We want you to understand that healing does not come quickly,” Mendenhall said,

She said if fostering is something someone cannot commit to, there is also a mentoring program for children in the residential units and individuals can volunteer as little as four hours per month.

TCCS has 47 foster homes in the community that are full.

Foster families provide a safe, temporary home for abused children to heal until they can return to their family.

Mendenhall said there is an urgent and increasing need for safe homes for foster children. She said the agency wants to keep the children in local foster homes and not two to three hours away,

Johnson said the community needs to take ownership of these issues to help solve them. He said it is important for both the African American community and the Christian community to step up and help where they can with this local need.

Mendenhall said the Second Baptist Church event has helped raise awareness of the needs of TCCS.

The event also was a way to celebrate Johnson for his years of serving as pastor of the church. He is leaving this year for a new pastoral assignment in New York City.

She said she also wished Johnson, his wife Shameika, and their family much success as they go on their new journey.

Johnson said the event is a way to uplift the Lord.

Guests at the event were the Rev. Alyn Waller of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia and Jonathan Nelson, an award-winning Gospel singer and songwriter.