HOPE is what they hold on to, but you and I can turn dreams in to reality!

The events that took place on September 11, 2001 were devastating, unbelievable and the effects will be felt for years to come. There is however a bright side to the story. It was somewhat of a wake up call to the people of our great country, America. It was a message saying, “Love one another, care for one another, help each other and live each minute as if it were your last”. The world has changed significantly and people throughout the nation are responding by loving and helping each other and truly living each minute as if it were their last. 9/11 has opened eyes and brought awareness to many of the needs right in our own backyards. One of these needs is to help the Foster Children in our communities.

Many people have had personal experiences of some kind allowing them to become aware of the situations that are faced by foster children. For those who have, you are aware of the many unmet physical and emotional needs.  These children have not asked to be where they are, but circumstances such as abuse, neglect, drugs and other negative factors have left them no choice.

Daily, children of all ages, from birth through 18 years old are taken in to state custody at DFCS (Department of Family and Children’s Services) offices. They usually arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back. Their lives have been shattered for one reason or another and each has a unique background. It is difficult for them to hold their head up high, have good self-esteem, and be proud when they don’t even they will live tomorrow. They are filled with fear and emptiness.

The search then begins to find a foster-home for the child to stay in. The courts and DFCS determine how best to handle the situation for the safety of the child. Depending on the reasons that the child was removed from, determines their future.  Regardless of their situation, the hope is that eventually they will be located in a permanent residence with someone to love and care for them. Some may be in several different homes in a year or may be separated from their siblings. Imagine being a child and feeling totally alone in the world. Imagine if you didn’t think anyone loved, wanted, or needed you. These are emotions that foster children deal with every day.

I would like to share my story with you. At age seven, I had a life changing experience. I was in the unfortunate position of spending time in an orphanage along with my three younger brothers. At the time, my mother was financially unable to afford to keep us together. Since the four of us were different ages, we were housed in separate facilities.

The only time during our stay, that I was able to see my brothers and know they were all right, was at the annual orphanage event where all the children got together.  All the children there became my new family.  Many of the children shared their stories with me. Children who were there, because they knew no one loved or wanted them. I remember hearing children cry themselves to sleep at night or pray that someone would adopt them, love them, or give them a home. The thing that kept me going, was knowing that someone did love my brothers and me. I knew that we would not be there forever. Our hope was that someday our mother would on her feet financially, she would take us home and we would be a loving family again.

The day my mother picked us up was one filled with emotions. I felt great joy for my brothers and myself. I will never forget though, the pain and sadness we were leaving behind. I would have given anything to take every child home with us. That day, I promised myself that during the course of my life, anytime I had an opportunity to help foster children, I would.

In 2001 the opportunity arose. I met with the Director of Gwinnett County DFCS (Department of Family and Children’s Services) in Georgia and we discussed the many needs that the foster children have. As a result, a group of the most wonderful Business Leaders and caring individuals in the world, joined together for “A Great Day of Service” with the “Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services”. Together we worked to make the dreams come true and fulfill the needs of foster children and families. The first project was to collect clothing and other needed items. The second was to prepare a Clothing and Needs Center where the children could pick out clothes, hygiene products, school supplies and other needed items. Next, this group of volunteers would host an Annual picnic for all the local foster families.  The picnic provides and opportunity for the children to spend time with siblings living in different locations and to have fun. The numerous positive role models including the 90+ volunteers were able to make a difference in the lives and futures of these children.
”If I could write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high”, I would write a thank you to all of those who volunteered on these projects.

Over the years of working with the foster children, many needs have been identified and many volunteers have come forward to make a difference in these lives. The Foster Children’s Foundation, Inc. was established to help the children in areas where there was no hope before. It is our dream to make a major difference in the lives of foster children in every county. Yes, we dream big, but with your help, a huge void in the lives of foster children can be filled and their lives changed forever.