Helping a Foster Child Is Easier Than You Think



Last week we asked people what they would be willing to do to help foster children. Janice Miller wrote back that we could "encourage people to reach out and give a child a home." We know of several caring couples such as Helene and Ted Illston who have taken in many foster kids over the years.

Yet not everyone is ready or able to make that kind of commitment while others may feel like Star Devi, who commented, "If I was younger I would consider it." So let's talk about other important, yet indirect ways you could help a foster child.

NOTE: Our organization specializes in working with U.S. foster children. County agencies around the country bring us those cases where a child is now in foster care and no relatives in the U.S. can be found. With these cases, it's known that at least one relative is still living in Mexico. Often when we have located these family members, we discover that there are more relatives in the U.S. that the agencies simply couldn't find. This all allows the Court and Social Services to start the process to move the child out of foster care to be with a relative or to be adopted. No matter the outcome, these children will at the least have a family connection to support them. [end]

All skills are needed by an organization.

• Love to write? You can write blog posts or articles or write comments about blog posts about foster youth.
• Are you a great accountability coach? We all know the value of staying on target with projects and the leadership in an organization need help staying focused.
• Are you a PR guru? Being noticed is key for an organization to attract people with the ability to fund part of the work.
• Are you an idea person? Let your creativity out and share new ideas on ways to better attract supporters.
• Can you sell dirt to a farmer? Every organization needs people who can contact others for support and donations to continue to help foster youth.

Of course, there are many other ways your time can benefit an organization.

Now let's look at some ways that bring in much needed donations because there are simply some organizational costs that can only be met with money. Here are some easy ways you can help foster children:

• Host a party and have guests give a donation. My friend, Sheri Long of Amigos At Work, did just that for her birthday. Instead of receiving gifts, she asked her friends to donate to help foster children.
• Ask your company to support foster care efforts. Many companies will give to an organization either because it is in line with the value or mission of the company or because it's important to a valued employee. Again, an organization can give a letter so the company can get a tax deduction for their donation.
• Give a presentation and ask attendees to donate. Many companies put on presentations and are open to letting their audience know they are supporting foster children. It can help differentiate a company from the competition.
• Tell your friends and associates. Encourage them to donate.

Now some people get nervous when the idea of helping foster kids moves towards donations so here are some ideas to think about. If 1,000 people give $5 each month (we're talking the price of one Big Mac), that would raise $60,000 for the year. That would allow for at least 120 foster children to be reconnected with their family members and to move out of foster care. At the very least, these children would have a very important family connection to support them once these kids age out of foster care.

Keep in mind that just one child who ages out of foster care is estimated to need up to $300,000 in social services over their lifetime. If just one foster child is saved, it would make a world of difference to them and certainly help taxpayers.

Some people may feel that it's all give and no receive. Not true at all. Ever made a donation to Goodwill or you local library? Whenever you do, you get a receipt to fill out to get a tax benefit for your donation. You can give some of your time, get direct benefit (you can receive a letter to get your own tax deduction) AND this in no way takes away from the resources to help foster children. That's a win-win for everyone.

Didn't see an idea that fit you? Think you have another or better idea? Then you are exactly the person to help. It's so easy to get into a rut with ideas, and your background and special skills may be just what an organization needs to come up with new and creative ways to run the organization and raise donations and awareness.

You don't have to go far or make a major commitment to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. All they need are people who are willing to add their voices and give a little time and effort. The rewards you will get may not be so obvious, but believe me, you will be feeding your heart and soul. There are few things you could do that could be so worthwhile especially to these children.

Regards,


  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995

PS. What to help right now? Leave your comment below. Do it for the children.