On a given day, there are 700+ children in N.H. in need of a foster home

To the editor,

It seems like we just finished the Thanksgiving holiday and as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holidays our thoughts return to those days when we were younger and home felt safe, at least for the majority of us. Many of us have fond memories of our childhood and home life with our families. What about those children that don't have a home to feel safe in and may be in a situation they don't want to be in? Where can they go have a nurturing environment that they can feel safe in?

I used to be a foster parent in Arizona when my children were much younger. When our children had grown up and were preparing to "leave the nest" we started thinking that we could help out some children that need a home. We have been with Casey Family Services (www.caseyfamilyservices.org) for the past three years and we currently have four children in our home. Notice I didn't say foster children because these are wonderful kids that I love as my own children.

About a month ago I was at a meeting where I discovered that on any given day there are over 700 children in this state that are in need of a loving and caring home. This almost floored me. I can't believe the people of New Hampshire, who have passion for charity aren't stepping up to care for the children who need help. I guess it's because the need is not made known in the public. I know that individuals and couples who have the space and capacity to care for and love these children would step up in droves to protect our youth, if they only knew of the problem.

The foster child system in New Hampshire is run by the Department of Children, Youth and Family (DCYF) and there are several agencies that are licensed to provide the homes and deliver the service needed. We were familiar with many of these agencies and chose Casey Family Services because I feel the training and support system they have in place for foster parents is much more effective.

I don't want to go into too much detail but I will share that I have two girls in my home who weren't expected to even graduate from high school that not only achieved the honor roll at school but are making plans for college. I feel that a part of this achievement is because of the direction we provided and the stable environment they live in. Those of you who are parents know the great feeling you have when your child achieves something or does something to make you proud to be their parent. If you enjoy that feeling then I can tell you that it is multiplied by 100 fold by bringing more children into your home.

I was on Niel Young's radio show, The Advocates, this past Saturday with Cary Gladstone from Casey Family Services. I would like to thank Niel for being as passionate about this subject as I am and I would encourage everyone to go to the WEZS website (www.wezs.com) and listen to Hour 3, while listening to the rest of the show. I look forward to being back on his show from time to time in the future as I make it my mission to enlighten the public about the lack of homes for these children.

Foster children are placed in homes with families and in institutional settings where their basic needs are met. There are children out there who do need the extra discipline and structure that an institutional setting provides but there are too many children placed there because there is nowhere else for them. I would love to end this practice but it will take many homes and parents to step up and take on the task of protecting our youth.

For anyone who is not sure if they want to become a foster parent I would encourage you to attend an informational meeting that will be held at Casey Family Services Concord facility at 11 South Main Street on Monday, January 9th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. A free dinner will be served for those attending and you will be informed on what is involved to become a foster parent. If, after this meeting you decide that this isn't right for you then at least you will be making an informed decision. But if you feel that you can provide love and safety to a child in need you will already be on the way to helping out. For more information on the meeting and to make reservations please contact Casey Family Services at 224-8909. If you would like more information about the joys of parenting please feel free to contact me at either greg@knytych.net or at 455-0114.

Greg Knytych

New Hampton