Well this is the month of "Love" and I'm blessed to say that the foster youth we serve can feel the love, care, and nurturing they deserve. There are many youth in the foster care system that do not feel loved and as a result they feel abandoned and alone. I'm glad we can make a difference and show them that there are people in the world that truly do care about their well being. I have countless encounters with kids that say they don't know what it feels like to be loved. It really touches my heart when they say these things to me. I cannot imagine being a teenager growing up without ever feeling loved. Fortunately, those in our care finally see what it's like to be loved, which often gives them a new outlook on life. They begin to understand what it feels like to be cared for the right way. We give our youth a sense of direction and help them attain their goals in life. I don't consider what I do as work because it comes naturally. As well, it thrills me to have a troubled youth come into our program that everyone doubted and watch them become successful against all odds! Here at KYJO this happens all the time. If we don't love them, who will?

Displaying loving, caring, and nurturing behaviors are contagious. The youth and staff alike start caring for each other in many cases. We become "Family". Even though we are not their immediate family, we certainly are their extended family. We become the positive role models in their lives which has been missing throughout their childhood. This is the key to making a difference! We believe that all youth should be loved unconditionally no matter where they come from. With that mindset, we took a handful of youth to Chukchansi Park's job fair so they could get a head start on their career path. I'm happy to say two residents lefts with jobs! This was made possible by the dedicated staff and youth because they "cared". Constantly doing life skills (job readiness) with the youth has paid off big time. They are ahead of the game because the people around cared enough to show them the path. We also had a youth at the Barstow house receive student of the month out of his entire school. Good job DJ! He now sees that education and working hard in school pays off. This would not have been possible if the staff didn't care enough to make him do study hour and homework.

Sometimes we all display different types of love. I'm a firm believer of tough love. At times the youth don't see the reasoning behind my madness until they see the results they are after. Once this moment happens then it clicks for them. But it doesn't matter how you love, just do it. Everyone needs to be shown love from time to time. KYJO staff...I LOVE YOU ALL! So if you are reading this and you have not told anybody that you love them lately, go ahead and get busy! They will appreciate you!

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

-Lao Tzu

Kevin Jordan