01/12/2020
My hope, every time I release music, is that I can always do so to help someone worship Jesus or inspire them to live with a greater sense of purpose. I chose to record and release the song Rescue by Lauren Daigle to help bring attention to the various challenges that our children face in the world today. I know we may not all agree on everything but maybe we can unite around our love for our children and the mission to provide a safe and stable world for them to grow up in. The song and music video releases this Friday so this week I would like to raise awareness of a few causes that are close to my heart that our children face daily. Let's join together and be the change that we want to see in their lives.
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
In 2019, over 672,000 children spent time in U.S. foster care.
On average, children remain in state care for over a year and a half, and five percent of children in foster care have languished there for five or more years.
Despite the common perception that the majority of children in foster care are very young, the average age of kids entering care is 8.
About 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems.
Less than half are placed with a family member or relative to care for them while in foster care.
On average, 64 youth age out of foster care every day and find themselves with no support at age 18.
20% of all youth that age out of foster care become homeless.
Within four years of aging out, 50% have no earnings, and those who do make an average annual income of $7,500.
After a foster youth ages out, homelessness and unemployment become a huge issue.
Despite there being more than 34 million entry level jobs nationwide, many foster youth aren’t prepared to be independent and don’t have the skills or resources needed to access the opportunities that could launch them into employment.
An amazing organization that is a refuge for children awaiting foster care placement and an advocate to the foster care system is the Isaiah 117 House. To learn more about Isaiah 117 and their mission and vision please visit
www.isaiah117house.com
To learn more or to take the next steps in becoming a foster parent or foster family please visit
www.tn.gov/tnfosters/foster-parent.html