From easy and quick to hard and long, a list
(in progress – your suggestions welcome
email info@invisiblechildren.org with “LIST” in subject line)
If you are concerned about at-risk children where you live, Check it Out!
THINGS TO DO
Speaking/Writing:
Sign up for and share KARA’s weekly e-report about at-risk children and child protection (be informed and help others to be informed).
Share an article or book that strikes you with friends and people in your circles (ask them to share)
Write/call your State Rep. Share a KARA post with them once or twice a month – repetition will get them thinking about children’s issues. Find your Rep HERE.
Write and call your local News Sources. Reporter emails are included at the bottom of the articles they write. Do a Google search for who covers child abuse issues at your newspaper (in MN: Chris Serres is described as “a staff writer for the Star Tribune who covers social services”. He writes about “issues affecting society’s most vulnerable populations”.
Serres was part of the reporting team for an in-depth project on Minnesota’s child protection system. Other Star Tribune journalists who have reported on child protection and related topics include: Jeffrey Meitrodt, Jessie Van Berkel, MaryJo Webster. Google a reporter’s name and their email almost always comes up. They invite your ideas. Reporters are busy people. They write on specific topics and aren’t always fast to return your contact. I’ve often had six months or more go by and be surprised by a message asking for more information when they were following a story. Become a source for information on child protection / child abuse where you live.
For writers, the opinion page in most newspapers needs more important issue submissions. Feel free to use anything you find on the KARA website to submit to your newspaper. Share KARA posts and other information you find compelling widely in your social media.
*Key Note: Regularity in contacting legislators and reporters creates a greater impact than contacting them just a few times a year. This is a simple and fast way to make big change. If you can make contacting someone a monthly a habit, you will have a much greater chance of impacting the lives of the children where you live. Your State Representative is also likely to meet you in person if you request an audience. Think about this: You might be the only person to show up at that State Reps office advocating for abused and neglected children. These kids don’t have a lobby, can’t vote and have media attention only when something terrible happens to them. Your voice can mean allot to an at risk child where you live.
Hands On
Support the people you know that have adopted or fostered children.
- Meal Assistance: Prepare meals or organize a meal train to ensure the family has consistent, nutritious food, especially during the initial transition when a new child arrives.
- Childcare Help: Offer to babysit or provide respite care, giving foster parents a much-needed break. Check local regulations about who can babysit foster children.
- Gather Supplies: Ask the family what they need for the child, such as clothing, school supplies, or toys. You can also help by storing items they may not have space for.
- Household Chores: Offer to help with everyday tasks like cleaning, lawn care, or grocery shopping, which can alleviate some of the stress for the family.
Emotional Support
- Regular Check-ins: Make it a habit to call or text your friends to see how they are doing. Listening can be a powerful way to show you care.
- Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge special occasions like birthdays or adoption days with thoughtful gifts or cards. This can help foster children feel valued and recognized.
- Be a Friend: Spend time with the family, inviting them over for dinner or playdates. This helps foster children feel included and builds community.
Community Engagement
- Raise Awareness: Use social media to share information about the foster care system and the needs of foster families. This can help increase community support and understanding.
- Organize Events: Consider hosting events that raise awareness or provide resources for foster families, such as information sessions with local agencies.
- Join or Form Support Teams: Collaborate with others to create a support network for foster families, offering prayer, material assistance, and emotional support.
Thoughtful Communication
- Mindful Conversations: Be sensitive in your discussions about fostering. Avoid assumptions or negative comments about biological parents or the foster care system. Instead, express your admiration and willingness to help.
- Engage with Foster Children: When interacting with foster children, focus on their interests and individuality rather than their status as foster kids. Show genuine interest in getting to know them.
By implementing these ideas, you can provide meaningful support to your friends and help create a nurturing environment for the fostered and adopted children in their care.
Call on a school/church near you and ask how you can be involved volunteering for at risk youth through their organization.
There are many small nonprofits trying to make life better for children in most communities. Find one that you resonate with and give it a go. Here are a few in MN (some are national)
Safe Passage for Children of MN, CASAMN CASA National (volunteer guardian ad Litem child advocacy), Minnesota Children’s Alliance: This is a membership organization that works with local communities to respond effectively to allegations of child abuse. While not necessarily small, they likely collaborate with and support smaller local initiatives.
Find your local CASA programs: Various counties in Minnesota programs that recruit and train volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system.
Family Advocacy Program: While this is associated with the military (USAREC, Minneapolis Battalion), it offers prevention, education, and outreach services against child and spouse abuse. This could be a valuable resource for military families in the area.
It’s worth noting that many smaller, community-based organizations may not have a strong online presence, making them harder to find in general web searches. To discover more local, grassroots organizations advocating for at-risk children in Minnesota, you might consider:
Contacting local social services departments
Reaching out to community centers or faith-based organizations
Connecting with school districts, which often partner with local child advocacy groups
Exploring county-specific child protection initiatives
These smaller organizations often play crucial roles in their communities, providing targeted support and advocacy for at-risk children in every state.
Prevent Child Abuse America: This is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit organizations in the United States dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. They work through a nationwide state chapter network and evidence-based programs to strengthen families, support communities, and foster safe, stable, and nurturing relationships for children.
CHILD USA: This nonprofit think tank is devoted to ending child abuse and neglect. They focus on high-level legal and social science research to develop the best public policies and laws for child protection. CHILD USA is particularly known for its work on statute of limitations reform for child abuse cases.
National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC): While not extensively detailed in the search results, this organization is mentioned as a resource for child welfare information.
Protect The Children Inc: This nonprofit charity aims to support and protect children and families facing trauma, challenge, and crisis. They focus on raising awareness, influencing change, and supporting communities to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Children’s Law Center of Minnesota (CLC): This organization provides free legal advocacy and representation for foster care youth in Minnesota. Their contact information is: Phone: (651) 644-4438
Address: 450 N. Syndicate St, Suite 340, St. Paul, MN 55104
Youth Law Project: This project offers legal assistance to children and youth from birth to age 24 anywhere in Minnesota. They handle various civil legal issues, including cases of abuse and neglect. Their contact number is (612) 334-5970.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Minnesota: While not providing direct legal representation, CASA supports volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system.
Public Defender – Fourth Judicial District: Located in Minneapolis, this office may provide legal representation for children in certain cases.
YouthLink: While primarily a drop-in center, they offer a free clinic for low-income youth (ages 16-24) with legal problems, which may include cases of abuse.
Gender Justice: This organization provides legal representation for transgender and other clients, which could include cases involving abused LGBTQ+ youth.
Outfront Minnesota (GLBT Youth): They provide advocacy, assistance, and referrals to help guide youth through the legal process, which may include cases of abuse.
Additionally, there are some general resources that can help connect abused children with appropriate legal services:
United Way 211: This service provides referrals to legal services and resources 24/7.
LawHelp Minnesota: This website offers information and resources on child abuse cases, including how parents or guardians can apply for a free court-appointed lawyer in a CHIPS (Child in Need of Protection or Services) case.
It’s important to note that while these services exist, the availability of volunteers and paid guardians ad litem has been declining in Minnesota, which may impact the accessibility of some advocacy services for abused children.
KARA reports on the issues of invisible children
This article submitted by
Former CASA Guardian Ad Litem Mike Tikkanen
