Foster Care Month
One of the characteristics of mental health is knowing when to ask for help. This is us, asking.
Most in our communities know Crittenton for services to pregnant and parenting youth. You may know us for our shelter program, or for the mental health services we provide. The focus of this blog post, though, is foster care. And we know children and youth who need your help. We need your help.
The idea of children or youth who cannot safely live with their families is disheartening, but it is a reality. Whether neglect, abuse, abandonment, or fleeing trauma for their own survival. I’m asking you to think about it. Where do these children go? What awaits them there? If it were your child, what would you want for them?
And this is where you can help. This is your opportunity to impact children and teenagers living in foster care. Regardless of the specific issue that compels you to act, I can promise you that it has a connection to foster care: homelessness, education, healthcare, support and safety for lgbtq+ youth, family connections, mental health, immigration, and racial equity. Whatever your entry point, I would invite you to hear from fostered youth themselves about the intersection between their experience and these issues by clicking the links above. When you meet children and youth who are in need of foster care, you’ll find that they all share histories of trauma, but you will also find that they are resilient, strong and determined!
Now, how can you help? You can donate to help Crittenton recruit resource families who will welcome these youth into their homes. You can volunteer with us and make a positive impact in the lives of fostered youth.
But our biggest need is for committed resource families to welcome youth into your home and into your heart. These youth are on the margins of society, and they need someone to care. They need a place to belong. They need a home where they can be safe; where they can feel safe. When you inquire to Crittenton about becoming a resource family, we will provide you with training and support. We’ll be there to help you parent a child or teenager with a history of trauma. We know youth who need you, and we can help bring you together.
Perhaps you feel like you are also on the margins of society, and you may wonder if you can be considered as a resource parent. Absolutely. You are welcome at Crittenton. Are you a part of the LGBTQ+ community? You could make a great resource family, and we would love to work with you. This is true regardless of your ethnicity, race, or religion. We need single parents and couples. We need resource families who speak languages other than English. We need families who have unique disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. We need families of all religious backgrounds. These youth need as many people – and as many types of people – in their corner as they can get.
All we ask is that you reach out, let’s connect so that you can learn more. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing. From the perspective of alumni of foster care, the best resource parents are inclusive, supportive, and open-minded. Learn more about our foster care program, or send us an email, and our staff will contact you with more information.