Time for another blog carnival post! The topic for this week is to blog about your work outside of etsy.
I’m an adoption recruiter, which basically means I help find families for hard to place children in the foster care system. My job is so much more than a job to me- it is my passion. Yes, it can get stressful and the concept of not bringing my work home with me is foreign to me but I love it. Whenever I tell people about what I do their first reaction is usually “Wow you must see and hear about some pretty horrible stuff! I don’t know how I could do that job”. Yes, I do hear and see some pretty horrible stuff that no child should ever have to experience but more than that I have the privilege of working with the most amazing and resilient children!
I think the majority of people have a skewed idea of what a “foster child” is. A recent study by the Dave Thomas Foundation showed that the majority of people erroneously believe children enter the foster care system due to juvenile delinquency. False, False, False! Children enter the foster care system through no fault of their own and because they were victims of abuse or neglect. Let me tell you a little bit about what a “foster child” is from my 6 years of experience. A “foster child” is simply a child who wants to be loved and wanted. I currently work with mainly teenagers and it is difficult to watch them lose hope and to hear them say that no one wants them. Another common comment I get is “Teenagers need families?” Yes, teenagers need and desire forever families. Think about how many times you have called your parents from the time you turned 18 until now. I’m 26 and I still very much need my parents.
The children that I have worked with have completely changed my perspective on life and have made me a better person. One of the kiddos I work with recently with made me a “Best Caseworker Certificate” and that paper covered in crayon is more valuable to me than any diploma hanging on my wall.
You can contact The Dave Thomas Foundation for more information on the adoption process. You can also browse some amazing portraits of just a handful of children in the Central Texas area waiting for forever families in the Heart Gallery of Central Texas (click on "portraits").
Now you know my need for a creative outlet ;-)
13 comments:
Wow - you are incredibly strong. I don't know how you don't bring your work home - I would want to bring every kid home with me and give them a hug. Kudos to you.
I love the passion and the giving spirit you have towards your job. Thanks for sharing, this blog brings warmth to my heart. =)
It is so nice to hear that you care so much for these kids. I told my dh that I would like to adopt an older child someday. Keep up the great work.
Interesting post.
The Santa Rosa County Department of Children and Families here in Florida require a 6 week course and home study... We were all for it and hoping to foster or adopt two children.
My baby was 6 weeks at the time and the instructor decided it was NOT ok to bring her to the course with us. She was too young to leave with a babysitter and we don't have family here- but she would've slept the ENTIRE time.
Anyways, to make a long story short we are financially and emotionally VERY stable and some kids are missing out on a good home because of this 'class teacher'.
Baby is now 5 months old and probably would be a disruption to the class now..
LOL You hit a touchy subject with me...
I'm sorry about your trouble with trying to get licensed. I agree, the process really should be easier for families wanting to adopt. I can't speak for Florida but I know that a lot of families here have a lot of trouble adopting directly from the state agency (CPS) and you might find the process easier if you went with a private agency (CPS just pays them to help get families licensed- same policies, same children, faster turn around). If you are still interested in adopting, please don't give up.
One more thing- if you contact the Dave Thomas Foundation you can ask them to refer you to a private (non-state) agency in your area and they should be able to help you.
Oh, I get it alright! My coworker's partner is a therapist for foster kids and I am getting my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy where I will dive right into that realm. So many times has my coworker's partner said she wished she could take in some of the kids who are getting shipped from one home to another with NO LOVE! I really want to help them. It breaks my heart. A friend of mine IS a foster kid. She is 24 now.
WE NEED TO HELP THESE KIDS! They need LOVE just like we do. Thanks for the post and congrats to you for helping them!
What a great and inspirational post! Thank you so much for the work that you do. :-)
that's a great service you do. I would think there are a lot of highs and lows in working with other people's lives so closely.
You blog design looks different from the last time I visited - it's great!
Very interesting. We are considering adopting our second child through foster care.
I am a manager of a state child welfare program so I know first hand how important the work you do is...thanks for what you do for kids!
I visited your blog once before and read this post in awe of your work. I couldn't even comment that day because I clicked away with a lump in my throat, saddened by reality. You touch so many lives, daily, and you obviously love what you do. Bravo to you and all you do to help "repair" those children.
What a wonderful and heartwarming post. Such important work you do -- thank you for that, and thanks for sharing about it. Bravo to you!
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