“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress . . .” – James 1:27
Lexington Leadership Foundation serves as a neutral, trusted convener working with the state, nonprofits, churches, and every people to build a unified response to the child welfare crisis
There’s a problem with a missing solution. Families face a disconnect in community solutions for community problems to take them from crisis to stability to thriving. We need a collaborative network of stakeholders bridging the private and public sectors to effectively work together.
KY Children are in Out of Home Care.
Fayette county children are in Out of Home Care.
There are 216 Foster Homes in Fayette County.
Lexington needs a 193% increase in Foster Homes.
Over 7 million children are impacted by the child welfare system each year. More than 343,000 are currently in foster care. 90% will experience severe trauma. Only 44% will reunite with their biological families. 1 in 4 will attempt suicide.
Of the 15,000 who age out of foster care each year:
97% will enter chronic poverty. 81% of young men will become incarcerated. 76% of young women will be pregnant before age 21. Half of their children will enter foster care. 44% will experience homelessness.
8,605 Kentucky children are in Out of Home Care. 4,088 of these children are in a sibling group.
633 children are in Fayette County. There are currently 216 Foster Homes in Fayette County.
For all 417 children to have a safe home, Lexington needs a 193% increase in Foster Homes.
These statistics are heartbreaking, but they’re just symptoms. The real crisis isn’t simply, “There aren’t enough foster homes.” The real crisis is that families don’t have a connected path from crisis to stability to thriving.
Our mission is to, through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, connect leaders, unify the Body of Christ, and mobilize people to transform Lexington into a City for God. Our method is to operate five strategic initiatives that encompass city-wide prayer, youth empowerment, fatherhood, and nonprofit consulting.
Reuben Watson serves as the Director of Unity in Action at Lexington Leadership Foundation, where his work is focused on ending the child welfare crisis in Lexington. A former foster child himself, Reuben’s life is a testimony to redemption and love. He has committed his life to mobilizing people of faith and goodwill so that every child in the city can experience the safety and belonging of a loving home.
The Real Solution is a collaborative network of stakeholders, public and private, working together to bridge gaps so families are not left to navigate alone. This means the Church, nonprofits, the state, local leaders, and the business community all moving in the same direction. When that happens, families can truly thrive.
We are not a foster or adoption agency, nor are we recruiting for any specific agency. We are not asking for money, and we do not benefit from participation numbers. We are not duplicating services or building a new brand. Instead, we are here to support, not to compete. We make deposits, not withdrawals, as we seek the spiritual and social renewal of our city.
In partnership with America’s Kids Belong, we invite you to download the Foster Friendly App. This one-of-a-kind app connects kinship and foster families with valuable offers, resources, and support—all at their fingertips.
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© 2026 Lexington Leadership Foundation
PO Box 54642, Lexington, KY 40555
