Christmas Hopes By Betsy Holland

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that…
In hopes of what?

For many of the nearly 11,000 North Texas children in foster care each year, they have often come from homes where there was no Christmas, no hope.  They have come from environments where there may have been no presents, no tree, no joy or love.  Then they are placed in a foster home surrounded by people who may be strangers to them, laughing, sharing their family traditions, and having fun. 

The day is a stark reminder that they are not with their families and often, 37% of the time, separated from their siblings.  They may even feel guilty that the foster family is having such a wonderful time when their biologic parents and brothers/sister may not be. The average child is removed from their home and placed in foster care for 20 months (8% of them wait over five years) and the average wait time for adoption is another 34 months.  This a very stressful and emotional time for everyone involved.
 
These foster children feel like they are in a temporary situation with a temporary family and can’t wait for their parents to get their lives straightened out.    That is where NewDay Services comes in.
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For nearly 23 years, NewDay has been helping parents restore their families by empowering them with the tools and life coaching to redirect their lives and be reunified with their children.
NewDay’s Healthy Parenting Programs work because we demonstrate care for moms, dads and their families, change hearts, and provide redemptive opportunities through engagement, coaching and encouragement.
 
NewDay gives these parents and their children hope.  We give parents the hope that they can overcome the struggles and poor choices to create a stable, safe and loving home for children who are desperately hopeful and waiting to be reunited with the parents they know, need and want.
 
Like you, we understand the crucial need for every child to have love, care, safety and stability.  This Christmas, as you share your own family traditions, please think of all the families that are in crisis.  Together we can make a difference in the lives of these children.  We can restore hope.