Movie Night at Wren House: Where “just hanging out” means a lot more

What do you see when you look at this photo? Just another typical girls’ sleepover with blankets, popcorn, and giggles? Maybe a birthday party? It may even feel warm and familiar, like movie night in your own family home. But there’s one difference – these girls are in foster care, each bearing a story of hardship, displacement, and hope.

As Christians, we are compelled to care for them and show His love in tangible ways. Nights like these are more than entertainment – they are opportunities to remind the girls that they are seen, valued, and cherished by a God who calls us to walk alongside the vulnerable.

Behind the Scenes: The Unseen Challenges

Trauma, instability, and mental health struggles: Children in foster care are disproportionately likely to have experienced neglect, abuse, frequent moves, and broken attachments. These experiences carry deep emotional and psychological burdens.

• A hard number to ignore: Up to 80% of children in foster care meet criteria for at least one diagnosable mental health disorder – compared to about 18-22% of the general child population (ncsl.org).
• Educational outcomes also lag behind: Foster youth are more likely to struggle in school, miss more days, be referred for special education, or drop out — all consequences of disrupted routines, frequent transitions, and emotional stress (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

These aren’t just statistics – they represent the real weight our kids in foster care carry every day. And while movie night is necessary, what these girls need even more are stable, developmental relationships with people who keep showing up as Christ calls us to.

Why Moments Like Movie Night Matter

A simple night like this does more than entertain:

• It gives a sense of belonging and normalcy – doing what many kids take for granted in their own family homes.
• It offers emotional respite – even a brief break from worry can help heal.
• It builds trust – when caring adults share time and create positive memories, hope grows. This reflects God’s heart to be close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

How You Can Help: Be a Regular Presence

Wren House needs volunteers. Yes, one-time helpers are wonderful. We also need consistent, caring people who will commit to meeting with the girls regularly.

Ways to get involved:

• Lead or assist with monthly recreation or art activities.
• Help with tutoring, reading time, or homework support.
• Show up for movie nights, game nights, or outings.
• Simply be present: listen, encourage, pray for them, share snacks, laugh.

If you’ve ever thought, “What difference can I make?”, remember that being one dependable adult in a foster child’s life can change everything – and reflect the love of Jesus in a tangible way.

Interested in volunteering or learning more about Wren House? Contact us at (316) 262-8293 or visit youthhorizons.net/get-involved/volunteer to get started.