 |
|
|
 SUCH REWARDS by Zach Welch They rock infants to sleep. They dry the tears brought on by the unimaginable. They provide food and shelter. They provide a sense of family to the lonely and abandoned. They give a chance to those who never had one. They don't do it because they are asked. They don't do it for monetary gain. They don't do it to be praised by their peers. While foster parents are truly some of the biggest unsung heroes of White County, they wouldn't want you to think that. They do it because they have tender hearts and caring souls. They do it because making a small sacrifice means making an enormous impact in a child's life. Most importantly, they do it to glorify God by giving a small amount of what they have to someone that has nothing. On any given day there are approximately 3,500 children in the Arkansas Foster Care System. Most of these children have been taken from unsafe living conditions by the Department of Human Services. At the end of April in White County, there were 26 foster homes and more than 90 children in need of foster care. Charlie Arnold, former preacher and current unit supervisor for the Department of Children and Family Services, said placing foster children is a statewide problem. According to Arnold, the amount of foster homes in White County is a strong number compared to the rest of the state, but unfortunately it still doesn't come close to meeting the need. Because there wasnt a sufficient amount of foster homes in April, DHS was forced to move more than 50 children to neighboring counties around the state. Arnold said one of his biggest struggles is keeping White County kids in White County. He stated that while keeping the children close would not fix the problem, it would certainly eliminate a lot of complications. "It's a sad thing to have to remove a child from a home," said Arnold. "It's even more sad and frustrating when we don't have a home to put them in and have to send them to an unfamiliar place."  Arnold went on to relate that the Arkansas state legislature has addressed the statewide problem by allocating extra funds. While Arnold praised the state for the much needed financial support, he also said there is still much work that needs to be done. The problem is quite simple: there just aren't enough homes in White County willing to foster children. "I wish White County residents could see the need to keep these children safe," said Arnold. "These children have done nothing wrong. The rewards greatly outweigh the sacrifices and you can help change a child's life. There are very few things in this life that are as rewarding as that." Searcy residents Michael and Tammy Hall said they have been blessed with the chance to experience such rewards. They are one of the 26 households qualified and approved to foster children in White County. "There is rarely a week where we don't receive two or three phone calls from DHS asking us if we can take a child. A lot of times they just need us to take them for the night," said Michael Hall. "Sometimes those phone calls are from different counties." The Halls began fostering several years ago when they decided to adopt their second child. After adopting a young girl in the summer of 2002, Michael and Tammy decided they wanted to adopt again; this time a boy. After some thought and suggestions from friends, they decided to foster for a period of time before making their second adoption. Little did they know at the time that they would still be fostering children several years later. The Halls have three children of their own, ages 17, 15, and 11. They also currently foster two other children permanently and plan on seeking adoption. Federal law stipulates that there can only be eight children in a home when fostering. This means the Halls can only foster two other children at any given time. "There have definitely been challenges," said Tammy Hall. "The older the children get the more hardened they become. They want to reach out so badly but they are frightened. They build up a wall." While there are challenges from time to time, the Halls say they have been very blessed and it has been a rewarding experience for their entire family. They also said their children have been very supportive in their decision to foster and have been a great help. However, with literally a house full of kids, it can sometimes be overwhelming. After seeing this need, Searcy's First Baptist Church began a program to help watch foster children. The program was first started so foster parents could attend state required classes and the monthly White County Foster Parents Association meetings, which serve as a support group to help encourage foster parents. Marsha Melville, who helps run the foster parents ministry, said this ministry takes away the hassle of trying to find a babysitter. Church members and volunteers watch the children while the foster parents are just down the hall. The church also provides a meal for the whole family on meeting nights. According to Melville, First Baptist has also been hosting Foster Parents' Night Out for just over a year. "This is just another way we can show foster parents how much they are appreciated," said Melville. "It's a night where we watch and feed the kids, and the parents can get away to have some alone time. Sometimes we give them a gift card they can use for dinner to help them enjoy their evening. We are called as Christ's body to help children in need," said Melville. "Even if you can't help by fostering there are many other ways in which you can help. We welcome anyone who wants to know what they can do." Searcy Living publisher Christine Walker, along with her husband Paul, have been helping to foster children in White County since August 2008. She said that the church volunteers have been a blessing by providing meals and child care during the Foster Parents Association meetings. Walker also said the support program has been a big help. "It has allowed us to meet other foster parents and to really feel connected to an entire foster parent community where we can exchange ideas to help our foster children," said Walker. "You don't feel like you are out there on your own." While there are plenty of people and organizations in White County doing all they can, it is still not enough. These children need shelter from the tragedies in their lives. Most importantly, they need to know someone out there cares. Some have been sexually abused. Some have been physically abused. Some have been abandoned. Most have been neglected. Most were never given a chance. All are innocent. It is impossible for me to know your background, your story, or the hardships you have endured in your life. I do know that I was very blessed while writing this story. I know exactly what it's like to grow up with loving parents and to lead a normal childhood. Most of these children don't even know what normal means. When I started this story I had no idea how it would impact me and how it would touch me. I hope in some way you will be touched as well. I was truly amazed by the humbleness of the people I had the pleasure of meeting. The only credit or praise they wanted to be given was to God. Go Back to Contents Go to SearcyLiving.com |
 |
|
Advertising Submissions Contact Us Our FAQ |
© 2009 Shark Promotions. All rights reserved. |
|