A handgun was placed in front of her. Was it loaded? Did it matter? Micki* was only 11 years old and knew nothing about firing one. “Go ahead. The world would be a better place without you in it.” – the words spoken by her mother.

Micki and her little brother came to our home late one night with a trashbag of dirty clothes and very few belongings. They lived in our home for one week as arrangements were being made for them to go live with their dad out-of-state.

We are foster parents.

Wait! Before you say, “Oh, that’s great for you, but I could never do foster care!” Let me reply with “you don’t have to.”

Foster children come into care through no fault of their own. You can help one of the 450,000 children in foster care without actually adopting or becoming a foster parent. Here’s how:

1. Offer Your Photography Skills

So many of you are talented photographers. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Agencies use photolistings of foster children needing a home to display to potential families. Sadly, many times, unflattering “deer-in-the-headlights” snapshots are the only photos ever taken of the child. Sometimes, a photo that captures the mesmerizing eyes of a child showing their personality is what can tug on a potential parent’s heart. Are you a photographer? Would you be willing to create beautiful portraits of foster children to display to potential families?

If you would be willing to donate your artistic skill, go to the Heart Gallery of America, to find a Heart Gallery in your area, or to begin one.

2. Become a Foster Child’s Advocate

Sometimes a foster child may move from home to home, and desperately need a consistent adult presence in their life to ensure that they don’t get “lost in the system.” Judges appoint Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers to watch over a foster child’s case and advocate for them in court.

CASA volunteers do not have to be attorneys or social workers, just everyday people that want to make a difference in an abused or neglected child’s life. For more information, contact casaforchildren.org

3. Donate to an Organization that Assists Foster Children

Of course, sometimes, money can help those in need. There are many, many organizations designed to help abused and neglected children.

My favorite charities are those that assist the 30,000 foster children that, by turning 18, are “aging out” of the foster care system each year. These children become adults with no place to call home. No parents to call for guidance or assistance in getting started on their own. Country singer Jimmy Wayne (@jimmywayne) was a foster kid that found himself homeless and hungry, like 50% of former foster children do.

http://youtu.be/FDtIzSqbT2s

He created Project Meet Me Halfway to help other former foster children. In Miami, Casa Valentina provides a supportive home environment for adult foster girls that have aged out of foster care to assist them in becoming healthy, productive adults.

If you would like to help foster children in Texas, each local CPS office has a Rainbow Room which is stocked with emergency items, such as underwear, baby formula, diapers, and hygiene items, available for immediate use for children when first placed into foster care.  Here is a list of Rainbow Rooms with online drives for emergency items.

4. Provide Short-Term Respite Care for a Foster Parent

As you may know, caring for your children is a challenging endeavor. As parents, you must make alone time with your spouse to keep your family strong. However, my husband and I didn’t leave our home alone overnight for nearly 2 years. We desperately needed some “alone time”, otherwise known as short-term respite care.

As foster parents, we couldn’t leave our foster children with just anybody – anybody that cares for our foster children has to pass our State’s background check for foster care. And foster parents – shoot, any parents – can reach burn out easily if they don’t occasionally have some type of respite or “getaway”.

Would you be willing to help out a foster family by providing respite care? Contact your local child welfare office for requirements.

5. Provide Meals for Foster Families with New Placements

The first few days when a child comes into a new environment is full of adjustments – for the entire family! Consider providing a meal to a foster family when you learn of a new placement.

*6. Provide a Home for Child that Doesn’t Have One

I know I said “you don’t have to {do foster care}”; however, would you be willing to just to find out the facts? Agencies are constantly holding informational meetings. Classes for potential foster parents begin soon!

Here’s a special challenge for you! Simply attend an informational meeting to learn more about foster care in your area.

Who knows? Maybe this year will be a life-changing year! For you and a neglected child.

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