We are doing our part, how about you?

As you know already, Misty and I have an awesome young boy in our home that we intend to adopt. What you may or may not know is that Misty was adopted and brought to the United States from El Salvador at two and a half years of age. You also may or may not know that I adopted Michael as a single parent.

Misty and I both have a heart for children and especially for those who do not have a home of their own, with parents to call their own. I am grateful for children’s homes; I was the Director of one for almost five years. It is the place where I met Michael and he became a part of our family. However, it is not the best place for children to grow up. Every child needs a place of their own, a place to call home, a place where they have their own space. Every child needs the love of parents who would lay down their very lives for their children if it ever came to that.

I am alarmed at the statistics that are included in this letter about children needing homes in Virginia.

Figures show that Virginia has the highest percentage in the nation of teens aging out of the foster care system without a permanent home.

There are also more than 8,000 children in Virginia‘s foster care system and more than 50 percent of them are teens.

It is expected that 20 percent of these youth will be homeless at some time before they are age 25.

Additionally, 25 percent will be incarcerated in the first two years after leaving the foster care system.

Only 58 percent will earn a high school diploma by age 19, while less than 3 percent will ever earn a college degree.

Misty and I are doing our part; these children are waiting for Christians all around Virginia and Carroll County to step up to the plate. It is not easy, if it were everybody would sign up. It is rewarding beyond anything that you can ever imagine.

Consider giving a kid a home.

Ronnie

VCCS CHANCELLOR TO VISIT CROSSROADS INSTITUTE ON JULY 1 AS PART OF BIKE TRIP TO RAISE AWARENESS, MONEY FOR CAUSE     

Virginia Community College System Chancellor Dr. Glenn DuBois will make a stop at the Crossroads Institute in Galax on Tuesday, July 1, as he bikes his way around the state in support of Virginia ‘s foster children.

He is expected to arrive at the Crossroads Institute at about 4 p.m. The Crossroads Institute is located at 1117 East Stuart Drive and the public is invited to attend.

The bike tour will begin on June 27 at Lord Fairfax Community College and end on July 11 at Tidewater Community College, with the Galax stop and others taking place in between. DuBois’ intention is to spread the word about Great Expectations, a program established to enable foster youth to successfully pursue postsecondary education and training. The VCCS Chancellor is using his personal vacation time to complete the bike tour.

Great Expectations is a transitional education program for foster care youth, which is being implemented by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. The goals of the program are: to help foster care youth ages 13-17 complete high school and transition into higher education; to meet the student’s basic needs and increase the number of foster youth who continue in Independent Living Programs; to offer a comprehensive program for foster care youth and alumni ages 18-24 to help them gain access to a community college education; to increase the number of foster youth who gain employment in desirable jobs and to increase their hourly rate from $7 to $17; to increase the number of Great Expectations programs from five pilot sites to all Virginia community colleges; to create and continue expanding an endowment fund to provide permanent, sustainable financial support for the program; and to raise $10 million by December of 2009 to provide a minimum of $500,000 annually for the effort.

Figures show that Virginia has the highest percentage in the nation of teens aging out of the foster care system without a permanent home. There are also more than 8,000 children in Virginia ‘s foster care system and more than 50 percent of them are teens. It is expected that 20 percent of these youth will be homeless at some time before they are age 25. Additionally, 25 percent will be incarcerated in the first two years after leaving the foster care system. Only 58 percent will earn a high school diploma by age 19, while less than 3 percent will ever earn a college degree.

“We can do more for the 8,000-plus foster children living in Virginia . With encouragement, funding, and access to higher education, we can prepare them for a successful life,” said DuBois. “Also, foster students need to know that they can receive free tuition at any Virginia community college through the Tuition Grant program. I want to spread the word about this wonderful educational opportunity.”