Children Thrive in the Right Environment

Maceo Keeling - SCORE Member, Business Owner and Consultant. Photo: Urban News
Maceo Keeling – SCORE Member, Business Owner and Consultant. Photo: Urban News
By Maceo Keeling –

First, I want to thank you for reading my columns over the years.

I have written to inform, create lift, or offer a different narrative on the current state of our struggles. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement when you see me out and about.

Your words came at a time when I did not expect them, and needed encouragement the most. My special appreciation to Rita Bowman, Mathew Bacoate, Sr., and many others who have also received inspiration. To Johnnie Grant, thank you for providing me support, mentorship, and The Urban News as a platform to contribute my work.

Second, in this column I want to share with you my thoughts on the greatest miracle of life: our children and their need for foster-care parenting.

We all have our thoughts and stories about foster care and the children in these programs. However, your thoughts are not their only story.

There is scripture that says, in part, “Bring a child up in a way that he (or she) should go, and when they get older they will not depart from it.”

I interpret this as saying that a child is just on a loan to you for a short time before they choose their own path. They may have false starts, but a positive environment is how we help to shape their journey. As every parent knows, challenges are a part of child-rearing, but you can help to create the story of a child’s journey when you enable them to thrive in a healthy and nurturing environment.

My mom taught in the Head Start Program for 30 years, and later became her program’s Executive Director. I remember her saying, “There are no bad children, just bad influences.” And with that mission in mind she helped to positively shape the minds of one child at a time. That is good child-rearing.

You, too, have an opportunity to change a child’s life—by taking in a foster child or adopting a child in need. There is a financial component to help with the basic necessities for the child in need, but what’s in your heart will sustain them and make them whole. Understand, this is not something to rush into, because we’re talking about a person’s life, not a pet you might return to the pet store when it poops on the carpet.

If I have piqued your curiosity, consider wading into it first. Volunteer at an organization, a children’s ministry, or a school. This will help you to determine if you have the temperament and stamina for a long-term commitment. Many organizations could certainly use your help. You may not realize it, but you do not have to own a home. You do, however, have to provide a safe, clean, and loving environment for the child. And you don’t have to be married, though you do have to be secure within yourself.

To find out more, call Buncombe County’s Foster Care Parenting Program at (828) 250-5868, or call Eliada for foster care information at (828) 713-5423. Both entities will provide free support, do background checks, help you with paperwork, and then help you to find the best child for you or your family.

The truth about foster care is this: There are no unwanted children, just unfound families.

Answer the Call!

 

“You don’t have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to become great!”

 


Dr. King had a dream, now we must have vision. The Conscious Call radio program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on WRES-FM 100.7. In a collaboration with the radio program, the Urban News will help keep readers informed about events, programs, news, and the progress of The Conscious Call. For more information, contact the Conscious Call at (828) 989-6999 and visit www.theconsciouscall.com.

The opinions and statements made in this column are solely the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of The Urban News.