The Lost Boy

System” failed the child again? Hardly!
    Don’t get me wrong; harming a child is absolutely wrong and should never be tolerated! However, those cases are rare, and they undermine the incredible work that foster care performs. The
real
question is, how did those adults receive a license as foster parents in the first place? The answer may be for the simple reason that so many children need to be placed into homes – yesterday. Again, society’s ills tax “The System” to overwhelming proportions. There are literally millions of children in need and only several thousand homes available. Alleviating this situation may lie with a thorough screening process for those who apply for foster licenses, including background checks – much like those used for any county or government job. Perhaps training programs on how to deal with the endless and various needs of the foster children could help as well.
    On the other hand, the press was kind enough to pay homage to Charlotte Lopez, a foster child for 15 of her 17 years, who won the title of Miss Teen USA in 1993. I was extremely intrigued by Charlotte’s confidence and inner beauty. I wonder where Miss Lopez received her esteem and poise from? Could it have been from her foster parent, Janet Henry? One can only imagine the endless hours that Janet and Charlotte spent together. I can only assume that Charlotte’s main concern was not so much for her smile or her technique for strolling down the runway, as it was for her inner fear, which most foster children possess – seeking answers to their condition, while struggling to fit into an ordinary world.
    There are other dedicated foster parents, like Debbe Magnusen, who takes in babies, in the middle of the night, that were born addicted to crack cocaine. Like so many others, Debbe, too, has adopted her former foster children. Legends in the field of foster care include Nina Coake, Judy Fields and Lennie Hart, who have each been in service to children at risk for over 35 years, fighting for the care and rights of foster children. Another is Pamela Eby, who literally dedicated her life to saving children until losing her final battle to cancer.
    I cannot begin to state how much I cringe when I hear the term “cop” or “pig.” Again, one can only imagine what type of world we would live in if it were not for our police officers, who rescue children from abusive situations and wear bulletproof vests for fear of being killed in a domestic dispute. When folks gripe about our educational system, they may fail to realize that the teachers and staff see victims of child abuse firsthand and are the ones who are overburdened. If this statement sounds doubtful, step into a classroom holding 75 students. I don’t call that teaching as much as I do crowd control. Besides parents and legal guardians, who has the most influence over our children’s lives but teachers? As for those who work in social services – from counselors at juvenile halls, Child Protective Service members, juvenile probation officers and Court Appointed Special Advocate ( CASA ) volunteers to foster parents – I can never admire and respect _their _ efforts enough.
    There are organizations that play a priceless role for “youth at risk” in our communities, such as the members of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, better known as the Jaycees. The main purpose of the Jaycees, who are volunteers, is the service of humanity. For instance, every year the state of Nebraska raises several thousand dollars for its Aid to Foster Children program. During the Christmas season, Jaycee chapters from across the nation donate Christmas trees to children who have never seen, let alone smelled, a Douglas fir. Their dedication doesn’t stop there. Jaycees invade stores with hundreds of children in tow -children who have never shopped for toys for themselves. These children never crave such niceties as Game Boys or Nike Air Jordan shoes. Instead, these children wish for clothes that are a size too big – so as to get more wear out of them.
    Another organization is The Arrow Project, a nonprofit organization that addresses the needs of children and families in several states by providing foster care, diagnostic and educational services and other interventions.
    In March 1994 I was in Ohio presenting a keynote address to local law enforcement officers, teachers and social service workers. The lady who preceded me made a statement that made everything