Dear Texas Foster Families and Supporters,
As I write this letter, I am reflecting over the past decade. I feel peaceful and acknowledge the gift of knowledge and insights gained, incredible people and a dearly departed pet that touched my life, successes celebrated, and the inevitable failures and disappointments experienced. All of these things go into my book of memories and lessons learned.
Where have I been? What did I learn? How can I use it all in the future? These are questions I must answer – we all must answer – to move forward into this next decade that is rich in promise and laden with adversity. How will we march into the future? How will we conduct our ethical lives? How will we do our part as volunteers for a strong and healthy Texas? How will we ensure safety for all children?
Humanity – magnificent and resilient! We remain hopeful no matter what is thrown at us. Just think of the children we care for each and every day. We must become stronger, humbler, and ready to move forward and handle tasks at hand so we can leave our world better for future generations.
Advocates for children are needed now. There is power in numbers. Take time to contact your state legislators and tell them what services and supports you need to be the best foster parents you can be to the children you serve. Tell them what services and supports your children need to become strong successful students and adults. Tell them that children must be high priority no matter how tough the decisions they must make.
Foster parents are the ultimate volunteers. Foster parents save lives. Foster parents change lives for the better. Foster parents assist with reunification. Foster parents adopt children who cannot go home. Foster parents are heroes. Foster parents get bad press because of a few bad apples. Foster parents advocate. Foster parents cannot do all of this alone. They need reliable supports and services, as do their children, and they need an occasional “thank you” for the work they do each and every day.
Each of us must live with our actions or lack of action. As foster parents and supporters of the need for better supports and services for families and children in foster care, it is time for action. For assistance in advocacy efforts, please don’t hesitate to contact me at president@tffa.org.
Sincerely and with great admiration,
Irene Clements
President, TFFA
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