They Are Just Kids

On Tuesday I saw staff members sprinting toward the front lawn of the Richmond campus of United Methodist Family Services. Immediately I knew that something was very wrong. A teenage girl in one of our programs had become overwrought with emotion and was trying to dart out into traffic. Staff were able to calm her down and she is getting the help that she needs.

I walked down to where the action was taking place and heard her crying and my heart literally broke. As a mom, I wanted to run to her and comfort her. As a staff member, I know better and let the professionals handle the situation. But, it always makes me think about how a child gets to that state of mind. And to be honest it makes me very angry that some adult (usually) has caused a child to be in this much pain. I suppose I will never understand why someone would neglect or abuse a child. It isn't a part of who I am.

For many of the foster children that we see at UMFS, their stories are similar. They were abandoned, abused or neglected by an adult in their lives. Now they are not only living with a foster family, but they are also trying to come to terms with their pasts, overcome it and learn to trust again. All while going to school and dealing with normal teenage stuff. They are just kids, dealing with stuff no kid should have to.

This is why I do what I do and why all of our social workers do what they do. We all believe that these kids deserve a loving family and a good life. Someday, when my children are older, I fully intend to call one of these kids my own. Will you?

Make a difference in the life of a child. Call 540-898-1773.