Blog

March is National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the incredible work social workers do every day. This year’s theme, “Social Work: Compassion + Action,” highlights the deep care and dedication social workers bring to their communities. But what does this theme truly mean? Let’s explore how compassion and action work together to create meaningful change.

Foster care is a life-changing journey—not just for the children in care, but for the foster parents who open their hearts and homes to them. However, many misconceptions about foster care prevent compassionate individuals from stepping forward to help. It’s helpful to separate fact from fiction and understand the truth about fostering.

Becoming a foster parent is a life-changing decision that comes with great responsibility and reward. Foster parents provide stability, love, and guidance to children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or loss. While the journey can be deeply fulfilling, it also...

Imagine your childhood memories. What were you doing and who were you with? Now, imagine that in one day, all the things familiar to you changed. Imagine that even your best memories were not often happy ones and that your days were filled with uncertainty. Some days, there was not enough to eat, and sometimes the house was cold. You did not have anyone to help you with homework or have clean clothes for school. Sometimes the police even came to your house because the neighbors heard the fighting between your parents. But this was your home, your world, and you knew what to expect.

Imagine a packed Super Bowl stadium, full of cheering fans. Now, picture that same stadium filled with children instead—children in need of safe, loving homes. In the United States, the number of children currently in foster care could fill every seat in a Super Bowl stadium more than five times. That’s more than 390,000 children who don’t have a stable home to call their own.

This staggering number highlights the urgent need for more foster families. Each of these children has a unique story—some have experienced neglect, others have been removed from their homes due to unsafe conditions, and many simply need a temporary home while their families work toward reunification. But no matter their background, they all need the same thing: a caring adult to support them.

Foster care is a critical resource for children who cannot live with their biological families due to various circumstances. In South Carolina, more than 3,000 children are in foster care, and a significant number of them are teenagers. Sadly, teens in foster care often face additional challenges in finding a stable, loving home compared to younger children.

Why is this the case? Misconceptions about fostering teens can discourage families from stepping forward. Some people worry that teens in foster care may come with more behavioral challenges or emotional needs. Others may feel unprepared to navigate the unique dynamics of fostering an adolescent. However, fostering teens is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding.

Hope—it’s a powerful emotion. In fact, hope is more than an emotion. In a sense it is an intangible force that can compel us to keep trying, keep moving, and keep believing when otherwise we might quit.

As we step into 2025, the mental health of our youth continues to demand urgent attention. Today’s young people face an array of challenges, from the lingering effects of the global pandemic to increased pressures from social media, academic demands, and societal expectations. Prioritizing mental health for youth effectively is not only vital for the well-being of individuals but also for the strength of our communities and future generations.

As the calendar turns to 2025, many of us will reflect on the year past and resolve to make positive changes for the future. This year, consider making a resolution that can truly transform lives: committing to support children in foster care. Across the United States, and especially here in South Carolina, thousands of children in foster care need compassionate individuals and communities to step up and help create brighter futures.

The holiday season is often associated with joy, family gatherings, and creating cherished memories. However, for children in foster care, this time of year can be challenging. Many children face feelings of uncertainty, loneliness, or longing for stability and connection. As a community, it is essential to remember these children and take steps to ensure they feel valued, supported, and included during the holidays.