How do you not go into rescue mode when you read stories of kids if foster care?

Question

Everytime I read about kids spending their entire childhood in foster care, I find it hard to not go into resuce mode.

I want so bad to do something, but there is no way I could handle another child rght now. I only have a 3 bedroom house and work full time.

What can I do to help these kids currently in foster care? Without being a foster parent?

Answer 1

You could do volunteer work either directly with the children or fund-raising to support activities. It breaks my heart as well.

I feel the same way when I'm working in Guatemala. I'm in the medical field.  I see and work around families in extreme poverty struggling to keep their children,emotionally destroyed teen girls that were forced to breed babies for foreigners, and a gov't that refuses to help them because they are considered lower class indigenous.

They pretty much don't have any rights and are constantly being taken advantage of and used. The women and children are even afraid to speak up because the gov't will find a way to punish them, if the price is right.   Its so bad that girls/women cannot leave their houses after dark unless they are in a group or a male is with them. The gov't will not lift a finger to help them.

Answer 2

I was a foster kid from age 7 until I aged out of the system at 18.  

Here are some suggestions for what you can do:

1)  Buy some luggage and backpacks and donate them to a group home or CPS.  Kids in foster care usually carry their stuff around in bags or old suitcases.  I never had a backpack for school stuff.

2)  Donate things like toothbrushes, razors, shampoo, and other tioletries to group homes or CPS.  These are things that foster parents need all the time.

3)  When christmas comes, PLEASE donate some "fun" gifts, like toys and games and balls.  All the gifts on the "Angel Tree" are usually things kids need like coats and PJs.  Kids need fun things too.

4)  Become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for a foster child. It requires you meeting with the kid once a week and forming a relationship with the child.  BUT IT ALSO is your job to speak for the child and what it is in the best interest of the child.  For example, you might recommend that the child get therapy if you discover the child is depressed.  You would goto the judge and report this.

6) Donate books for kids of all levels.  Kids in foster care are usually behind in schooling.  Having boxes of books in group homes let the kids pick books that they feel comfortable trying to read.  

There are lots of things people can do, which can really help.  

Thanks for asking.

Answer 3

so don't read about it.

there is too many things in the world that need help.

Answer 4

We do go into rescue mode; who could not? Look at http://www.nwae.org/c6565.html . No child should ever feel as if they have to promise to 'follow all the rules' in order to have a family!

  I know the Heart Gallery can always use volunteers, from manning booths to stuffing envelopes. Right now they are working on getting a group together for putting together scrapbooks for their waiting children.

Answer 5

Dear Lara,

There are several ways to help and support these children without  becoming a foster parent!

Look into becoming a volunteer GAL/CASA, child advocate, Big Sister, Lunch Buddy, Mentor, Boy & Girls Club, YMCA/YWCA at a group home, donate money or supplies, etc. etc. etc.

Here are a few links:

http://www.casanet.org/

http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b...

http://www.bgca.org/

http://www.ymca.net/

Or you can help PREVENT children from becoming foster children in the first place!

Volunteer to be a mentor to a young or single mother, take a needy family under your wing, offer your talents to a natural family preservation organization, be active in your children's school system, be a role model, be a caring supportive neighbor, be an active part of your community!

http://www.mentormoms.org/

https://apps.chfs.ky.gov/pandp_process/F...

http://www.pta.org/

http://www.hrc.org/your_community/index....

Good luck! I hope you find something that interests you!!

ETA: Loony Tunes, GREAT answer! Those are some wonderful suggestions for DIRECT things you can do! All of those things are SORELY needed!

Lara, If you have questions about what it's like being a GAL - e-mail me! (I was one for 5 years.)