Foster care is a State program that provides temporary homes
to children, who have been abused or neglected by their families. These children range in age from birth to 18 years of age.
In the State of Georgia, in 2003, 14,481 children were in state custody. Over 51 % of those children were Black children,
44% White and the remaining were of different ethnic backgrounds.
14,481, that's an astonishing number of children that are being raised with
very little stability and guidance. No matter the color of the child, these are our children. These are children who have
been through the worst imaginable situations and who need and long for our commitment to them. These children, upon reaching
the age of 18, are emancipated from the system, many with no training or support from us or the Juvenile System.
These children later grow into adults that are often struggling with ill
health, poor education, severe housing problems, substance abuse, and criminal behavior. From studies, we also find that adolescents
in Foster Care suffer an unusual number of undiagnosed maladies. A sizeable number suffered from medical problems with: headaches,
dental, vision, hearing, weight, sleep, drug or alcohol, sexual, depression, loneliness, thoughts of suicide. However,
only about one-third of those affected obtained treatment.
What makes the transition from childhood
to adulthood so hard for Foster Children? The answer is no help from the many capable citizens in the United States. For the
few that do help, I am grateful, but we must all begin to take a part in the lives of our children just as we should with
our own flesh and blood. Because these children may not have been created by us, does not give us the right to leave them
alone and defenseless in the world. If you are interested in finding ways that you can contribute your time, home or by donations,
look below for some avenues take can get you more involved.
