Foster care champion arranges private screening of Instant Family movie

October 24, 2018

Gayle Harrell has long championed the rights and welfare of children and families in the Florida foster-care system.

So when their story was made into a major motion picture, the eight-term Florida House representative did what she always does: She got to work on behalf of local foster families.

She made some calls, found some sponsors and arranged a private screening of Instant Family, a movie starring Mark Wahlberg about a couple who learn the joys and frustrations of parenthood - and foster care - when they decide to adopt three siblings.

The screening - an invitation-only event - is scheduled for the Sunday of opening weekend at the Regal Treasure Coast Mall Stadium 16.

"Foster and adoptive parents are special people with special, defining moments in their lives that should be shared with the world, " said Harrell, who is running for District 25 of the Florida Senate. "This movie validates their commitment on a large scale, and may even encourage others to consider foster care."

Grand Senior Arcade, a local gaming parlor, is underwriting the screening for 135 caregivers and child-welfare professionals, while Mrs. Harrell and Seacoast Bank contributed money to ensure each caregiver receives a $5 concessions card.

"I don't think you ever stop giving," said Nicholas Cannon, who owns Grand Senior Arcade with his brother, Brandon. "It's not just about being able to write a check - it's about being able to touch somebody's life."

Caregivers will be invited to stay for 20 minutes after the movie to participate in a panel discussion about foster care, adoption and how well the movie depicted reality.

"We're hopeful the movie reflects the reality of foster care, like the importance and difficulty of keeping siblings together, and the experiences of teenagers in care," CCKids Community Relations Director Christina Kaiser said. "We also hope it steers clear of old ideas, like foster-to-adopt."

Foster care systems throughout the state have worked hard to decrease the practice, which results in unusable foster homes when people get licensed as foster parents but refuse children they don't want to adopt.

"We have so many beautiful adoption stories in our foster-care system," Kaiser said. "But those adoptive parents started out as foster parents with a mission to provide temporary respite to children who were going home."

Click on the poster below to check out the Instant Family movie trailer