Florida Agenda

DEAR EDITOR,

In Florida each year, there are between 9,000 and 10,000 children who are removed from their home because they experienced neglect or abuse at the hands of a family member. It is no longer safe to live at home, at least for a while … but perhaps forever.*
If there are no relatives able to care for them, they are placed in a group home or with a foster family. What sets foster parents apart is their ability to love a child like one of their own, regardless of whether the child lives with them for a month or for more

than a year. Foster parents have the challenging task of providing an atmosphere that helps a child heal and prepare  to go back home, if possible, or on to a new permanent home. Foster parents are a vital resource for these children as they wait in limbo, between a past that was painful and a future that is uncertain.

The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) trains, licenses and manages foster homes for youth that are medically fragile, youth that have difficult behaviors, youth that have a recent history of or current problem with substance abuse, and youth that are gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, or questioning. Although there are many wonderful foster parents in Broward County, there is always a need for more.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent with NYAP or learning more, please call 1-877-692-7226 or 954-596-5284.

Sincerely,
William A. Grear
NYAP Training Coordinator

*Information taken from The Department of Children & Families Website

Please send all your comments and letters to Editor@FloridaAgenda.com

In response to the Editorial by Alex Vaughn, “Cheater Cheater”, in the Florida Agenda, June 9th.

DEAR EDITOR,

I read with interest your latest article on the effects of cheating.  Enjoyed it very much.  I had a loving faithful relationship of 16 years to a guy who understood that monogamy wasn’t a type of wood that Ethan Allen uses in its furniture line (lol). From the very first day we met, it was “please” and “thank-you”.  Each night before we went to bed, one of us would turn to the other and say “thank you for being in my life today.” And, yes Alex, I know that our relationship was rare and beautiful. When I casually mention of my extraordinary relationship to guys, they look at me in disbelief. No matter. And, just before he died, Joe said to me … you are a wonderful loving giving man. I want you to meet someone again if you so choose and make them as happy as you’ve made me. BUT when I die, I take your heart with me; no one will ever get that. And, in 11 years, I have only had one two-year relationship with a guy who couldn’t commit much less make me the priority.   His priorities were (1) himself, (2) tennis (3) his Downs-Syndrome younger brother (4) me.  And that led me to coin the phrase … Never make anyone your priority when all they can do is make you their option!

ROBB

DEAR EDITOR,

In Florida each year, over 9,000 youth are placed into foster care because they experience neglect, abuse, or abandonment. Their families are in crisis and their parents are in need of assistance in order to get their lives back on track. The youth are in need of a temporary place that they can call home.

Through my work with these young people, I know how resilient they can be.

Foster youth have an extraordinary capacity to overcome many challenges, but only if they have the support of a caring adult in their lives. What sets foster parents apart is their amazing ability to love a foster youth like one of their own, regardless of whether the youth lives with them for a month or for more than a year. Foster parents are a vital resource for these youth as they wait in limbo, between a painful past and an uncertain future.

The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) trains, licenses and manages foster parents and homes for youth who are involved in the child welfare system in Broward County. Although there are many wonderful foster parents in Broward, there is a tremendous need for more. If you have ever thought about becoming a foster parent or would just like to talk to us to learn more about the benefits and rewards of fostering, we would love to talk to you.  You have the power to do something positive that will change the life of a young person in foster care.

Please give us a call at (877) 692-7226 or locally at (954) 596-5284 or visit www.nyap.org.

SINCERELY,
WILLIAM A. GRIER