We have been a licensed foster family for the past 8
years. During that time, we have had the
privilege of caring for 11 different foster children in our home. Some have stayed for as long as 18 months,
while others were only here for a few days.
It has been one of the most learning and growing experiences our family
has had. A parent's love is not limited
to feelings toward biological children.
For us, that love was there for each little one, regardless of their
length of stay in our home. We loved
them, helped them, taught them, then worked with them to be reunited with their
families. People ask me how I did
it. Sometimes I wonder that myself. But it was an experience that taught me the
love of family (whatever that looks like) transcends barriers, is wider than we
can comprehend, and is all encompassing.
The common theme for each of these kids is that they just
needed someone to care for them. Regardless
of the specific circumstances that brought them into foster care, their
families are struggling, and helping those families rebuild takes work. The state tries to help, encouraging the
parents, looking for extended family to care for the kids, and offering resources for
both the kids and the parents. Many
times, the state does fall short, but they are trying to make these situations
safer for the kids. Often state
resources are insufficient to meet the needs of these children. I've seen several instances where extended family
members take in children - which is called Kinship Care. These amazing families care for these kids
because they want them to be able to stay with their own families. The state funds for kids in Kinship Care are
close to non-existent. Imagine the
strain on these families financially, to take in extra children and then not be
given enough funds to truly take care of them.
Sometimes it is just one child.
Most times, there will be several children ranging in age from newborn -
18 years old.
Why did I share all this with you? The service project I am spearheading for
Arizona American Mothers is to help some of these families here in Coconino
County be able to send the kids in
their care to school with clothes, backpacks, shoes and basic school supplies. I would appreciate your help in making this
happen.
Over this next week, I am collecting extra school supplies,
clothes (and yes we will accept gently used clothing!!!!), backpacks, gift cards to
purchase clothing or supplies, and on-line donations to PayPal to the email
ArizonaAMI@gmail.com.
If you have any questions, ideas, or just want to let me
know you have donations I can pick up from you, please contact me at the
Arizona American Mothers email - ArizonaAMI@gmail.com. If you are not in Coconino
County and still want to help with
this specific project, the easiest way is through the Arizona American Mothers'
PayPal account. If you have items you
would like to donate, send me an email and we can see if we can figure
something out. I will be down in the Phoenix area towards the end of the month and could pick items up then if you have something to contribute.
I know these families, the children, and all those who work with these families and kids will appreciate any
kind of help they can get.
