Bridging The Gap: Foster Children And The Faith-based Community

For many years, houses of worship have been a pillar in the community and stood at the forefront in tackling many issues that plague communities across the country. From civil rights to voting rights, the houses of worship have always taken a stand in changing statistics and making a difference. They have deemed these issues important and taken on the responsibility of doing something about them. One issue, however, that has not received as much attention is that of foster care and the welfare of children who are placed in the system. It's not because it is not as prevalent as other issues we face today, because it indeed is. Most of us know of a child who is living in a foster home or a group home, but we don't always see the effect it has on not only the child involved, but also the overall impact on the well-being of the community.

As with the other issues the houses of worship have addressed, I encourage the faith-based community to get involved in the issue of child welfare, and there are many ways to help. First, it is important to build awareness. In addition to the more than 500,000 children who are currently in the foster care system, each year three million children are reported abused and neglected in the United States-that's nearly 9,000 children every single day. Nationally, 39 percent of those children are African American--a disproportionate rate compared to the African-American U.S. population.

Once you are aware, you can then act. One way is to get involved with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. There are currently more than 50,000 CASA volunteers-everyday heroes who are advocating in court on the behalf of abused and neglected children to help ensure they grow up securely in permanent and loving homes. There are over 940 local CASA or Guardian ad Litem (GAL) programs throughout the country, so there is probably one near you. At houses of worship, you can work with a CASA/GAL program to host events or have a CASA representative speak to your congregation about the issue of foster care. As individual members, you can make a difference by becoming a CASA volunteer. Last year, CASA volunteers helped over 225,000 children; however, with more than 500,000 children in foster care, more than half of these vulnerable children still don't have anyone to help "train them in the way they should go."

I pray that the issue of foster care will be taken on by the faith-based community so that the lives of children in communities across the country can be changed and positively impacted for generations. When children have no permanent home, it is hard for them to have a permanent spiritual home as well. Just think, by standing up for children in the foster care system, not only can you help them find a faith home where they can grow and develop spiritually, but also help them find a home to live where they can be safe, loved, nurtured and encouraged to become all that God has planned for them to be.

For more information about National CASA or the CASA program in your area, call (888) 805-8457 toll-free or visit online at www.nationalcasa.org. • Judge Glenda A. Hatchett, author of "Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say!" and the presiding judge of the nationally syndicated court television series "Judge Hatchett," which is in its seventh season, is the national spokesperson for the National CASA Association.

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