GR Nonprofit Reminds Of Foster Care Children Around Holidays

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Samaritas, one of Michigan’s largest faith-based, nonprofit health and human services agencies, is reminding Michigan residents to not forget about children in foster care as the holiday season approaches and amid the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 2,500 children are in the U.S. foster care system in Michigan, according to the nonprofit group.

“Every child needs love, shelter and guidance,” Samaritas CEO Sam Beals said. “Unfortunately, these basic needs are missing for some children, and the older the child, the more dire the circumstances. To that end, more than 23,000 children age out of the U.S. foster care system every year, and of these children, less than 3 percent will earn a college degree and only half will have gainful employment by the age of 24. It should come as no surprise that the love of a forever family can make a life-changing impact on a child — be they an infant or a teenager.”

The group said that while the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted adoption services across the country, organizations continue to work to place children with families. Samaritas has supported the placement of 223 foster care children with adoptive families in Michigan since the pandemic began, according to a news release.

“We're asking families to open their hearts and homes for this life-changing experience. Parents often tell us how much they learn from from the children that they adopt, and in the end, they're the ones that are forever thankful,” Beals said. “If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that we must be there for one another – that we must step up to help those who need assistance.

"When challenges arise that result in children needing a foster family, we must pick up the mantle and provide what they need so that they can lead a healthy, productive life that is supported by community and a connection to others.”

In 2019, Samaritas, in partnership with Lutheran Adoption Service, worked with more than 290 families to place more than 390 children in adoptive homes across Michigan.