In the U.S. 397,122 children are living without permanent families in the foster care system. 101,666 of these children are eligible for adoption, but nearly 32% of these children will wait over three years in foster care before being adopted. Sadly for black children the chances of being adopted decrease by upwards of 70% in some states, those numbers are chilling. What I know from my work with homeless communities across the nation, especially teen homelessness agencies is that the cycle to not having a home begins in foster care, it’s a crippling cycle which needs our attention. Meet today’s charity spotlight the FPA Foundation, an organization is to organize people from different communities, to fight for social justice issues in their community in order to effect change.
The goal of the FPA Foundation is to build the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low income people of color, to have significant impact in improving their communities and the policies and institutions that affect their lives. “We want to help improve the quality of life for children in foster care. We will be responsible for addressing the social service needs of the children in care, as well as people affected by the child welfare system,” says FPA Foundation founder Dorin Matthews.
FPA-Foundation also known as the people’s movement is committed to the social change of the child welfare system and other social justice issues that affect the community. FPA is designed to meet the needs that are not met otherwise. Advocacy requires both the will to confront injustice and the commitment to transform it. Children and teens in foster care are one of the most vulnerable populations in the US the foundation believes. Through their work, they bring awareness to issues that youths in foster care, parents and people affected by the child welfare system are having in order to fight for reform. “We will not be silent our voices will be heard”. is their motto. To learn more about the FPA – Foundation, make a donation, volunteer or become a advocate to help children & families affected by the child welfare system visit them online at www.fpafoundation.org.
FPA helped me to understand my rights. FPA also supported me with the troubles I had with my foster Care Agency.