LadyFish
Admiral
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2003
- Messages
- 6,894
There's a tear in my coffee this morning as I think about what the holidays mean to me, and what they mean to the children in our care.
For those of you who don't know, I work for a non-profit organization that has programs that provide care, education, treatment, research and training to promote and restore the physical and emotional health of children, youth and their families.
We have a facility for undocumented children who have been on the streets or riding the rail system from South America who were brought here by "coyotes" or "human traffickers" and some who are just trying to reunite with their families in the US after they left other countries to come here and try to earn a living. There are also those children who have been abused and are running to try and find a better life. Some have been living on the streets for months before we get them. They have seen and experienced things that no child should. Some (boys and girls) have been raped, physically abused, or watched this happen to someone else. The age range is from 5 years old to 18 and we are seeing more and more in the 5-12 year old range. They come to us with a suitcase full of emotional issues. We give them warmth, comfort, education and therapy. And, try our best to provide them with a safe and secure environment. Our staff does a great job parenting them but we both know it?s not the same as having your own parents. Some of them have been dropped off at the border by their parents, some are here because their parents have been murdered, some of them are just running from something else, the list of reasons is long.
We also have a program dedicated to homeless youth that are about to "age out" of either our Foster Care program where they reside fulltime. We help them transition into the working world; teach them life skills that will give them the confidence and ability to live on their own. We also have a facility for older youth that will never be adopted out.
In our family shelter, we have entire families that are homeless due to the current economic climate. One family is grandparents, parents, and their children. Our other clients may be women and children who are looking for a safe haven from an abusive relationship. These a tough times for these folks and my heart goes out to them.
Our residential center that houses children who will never be adopted is the most heartbreaking of all to me. These troubled kids don't have the gift of a loving family, a bedroom of their own. They don't have the joy of seeing aunts and uncles and cousins and sharing memories of fun times together. My heart bleeds for these children right now.They have no family. They don't know the love of a mother or father.
My compassion is strong for the children 365 days a year but even more so during the holidays. Many of these children have never had a sit down Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with family. They have never felt the joy of the holidays, as many of us know it. Their emotions run strong. For those children without parents who are "throw away" kids its even tougher.
Until I came to work here a few years ago, I had no comprehension of how many of these children were out there. The numbers are huge and growing.
We have many generous donations this time of year. Gifts for the children and families are plentiful, to me whats missing is peace in their hearts.
Please take a moment to remember these children and families in your thoughts and prayers. Pray they can somehow find comfort and joy this holiday season.
If you are departed from your families during the holidays or just feel like giving, contact a local child welfare organization near you and see what you can do to help. Sometimes its just gift wrapping or helping cook a traditional holiday dinner. You will get back tenfold what you give.
Please do NOT turn this into a politcal thread, politics have no place in my message.