national foster care month

May is here.  so is National Foster Care Month.  i couldn't have said it better than "Foster the Family" did on Facebook.  i follow this mama's foster care journey, and i love love love her heart for children, their mothers, and families.  this was her post from May 3rd, and keep in mind that her statistics are based on the US.  Canada will be much the same.  our worker has shared the same concerns locally that things are "too quiet" right now, and time will tell what effect the pandemic had on the most vulnerable children and families.

"Reports of child abuse are down, nationwide, by as much as 70%. Removals and the placements of children in foster care are down, nationwide, by as much as 50%. These numbers suggest that the epidemic of child abuse and neglect in this country has been magically erradicated. But we know better.

The sad reality is that today, where you live, children are being abused and neglected. That has not changed. The only piece that's changed is the eyes that are normally on these kids–the teachers and the doctors and the "village"–that are on the frontlines of reporting and protecting. It's happening just the same–potentially even more–it's just not being seen.

This means that the call to engage the foster care system has never been more vital. When our world "reopens" and children are seen again, these kids and their families are going to need us more than ever.

Foster parents: may we consider how we will rise up to meet the call, the ways we should stretch our hearts and our homes to welcome. Friends and family of foster parents: your people will need you to be there and bring strength and support. Those who've considered becoming foster parents: the need has never been greater, the call never more pressing. Anyone burdened by the reality of foster care: there are ways that you can step in, needs you can meet, ways you can care. Every single person: consider the families in your community, right now, who are vulnerable, the ways you can come alongside and support and empower.

Protecting our children and strengthening families is not the responsibility of the state, not the work of foster parents. Vulnerable children and families need all of us. We all carry the burden, we all have a part to play. How will you step up?"

these two sillies had the best time at "the hotel with the big airplanes" back in January.  

my life is so much richer because of the dozen or so children we've been given the privilege of knowing and loving.  if you have any questions about fostering or ways to help, please leave it in the comments...