...to Finding Stability

I read this article in the Desert News, which was about the celebration of the Utah Foster Care Foundation’s tenth anniversary, and I was touched by the impact one couple can have on a kid's life, and even more impressive is the opportunity they have to continue taking children in, blessing many more.

I have thought about fostering a child in the future, and I have seen the challenges and joys of friends who have taken in small children, but this got me thinking about teen foster children and their situation. I was surprised to hear (although looking at it, it seems painfully obvious now) that many teens aren't in foster care because they have misbehaved or have special needs; rather, they were in the same situation as younger kids, being abused or neglected by their parents. The predominance of this negative stigma has probably kept far too many children from having a chance at a healthy and happy life that a kind foster family could help them have. The Ballesteros boys, who were highlighted in the article, were certainly among the more successful stories, and the bond with their foster parents was sweet. Their achievements, although private and personal, were being celebrated throughout the city, and I think it gave hope where it's needed.