I was recently at a community event, providing information on Angels, our fostering program and the community need for foster parents. Several interested people came up to speak with me, expressing genuine dismay over the thought of our community's children of any age being in the situations we see and hear of daily.   During the course of some of those conversations, a theme arose that we often hear: "I wish I could help... but I don't know how I could do it....It would be so hard to bond with the child and then have them leave." Very honest and real concerns. Concerns we encourage all prospective foster parents to consider and discuss at length prior to starting the certification process with us, in training and really on going as they foster. How foster parents navigate this conundrum is a topic for another column in itself. But it did get me thinking.

     Fostering a child and everything that it entails is not something everyone can, wants to, or should do. There are many considerations to examine and the decision is an individual and deeply personal one. However, if fostering is not a fit, there are so many other ways to have a positive impact on a child's life in our community. Below are just a few avenues in which you can support and assist a child:

• Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). CASA of Santa Barbara County is part of a nationwide program of volunteers who are appointed to abused and neglected children in our local Juvenile Court System. The mission of CASA is to assure a safe, permanent, nurturing home for every abused and/or neglected child by providing a highly trained volunteer to advocate for them in the court system.   http://www.sbcasa.org

• Volunteer with at-risk children through Santa Barbara County Office of Education's The Center for Community Education. The Center for Community Education administers programs that connect students, families, teachers and schools with resources, programs, services and volunteers from the private sector, nonprofits and social service agencies and the broader community. Their Transitional Youth Services program provides support and assistance to foster and homeless youth.   http://www.sbceo.org/~center

• Get involved with a philanthropic group that supports community-based action on behalf of children.

• Attend and participate in community meetings regarding issues of foster care, child safety and well being.

• Donate to the many worthwhile organizations that are positively impacting the lives of children and families in our community in a whole host of ways, from enhancing health and development to providing a home and nurturance to a child.

There truly is something for everyone. Just take that first step!

Best wishes,

Jennifer

Angels Spotlight:

Margot Clarke

Angels is fortunate to have Margot Clarke as our Volunteer Coordinator. Margot is a former Angels foster parent and mother of five girls. Margot and her family have attended and staffed an informational booth or table at almost all of Angels' outreach events in the last few years, and she manages our volunteer force. Thank you Margot (and husband Keith) for tirelessly working to support our organization over the years!

Margot and Lila at Funderland in Sacramento 

A few questions...