To the editor:

On Nov. 21, people all across the United States will observe National Adoption Day. It’s a day to bring attention to the almost 100,000 children in our nation’s foster care system who are legally free to be adopted.

Having worked in and around the child welfare system for 23 years, I can attest to the need we have for loving individuals, couples and families to open their hearts and homes to meeting the needs of Kansas youth. Currently in Kansas, we have 6,526 children in foster care, and as of Sept. 30, there were approximately 350 youth who were legally free to be adopted, with no identified adoptive resource, and this is heartbreaking. To have removed children from their families, have them live in the system for years then exit the system with no lifelong, dependable relationship is really unacceptable, and we as a society can do better.  

I understand that not everyone is in a position to foster or adopt, but everyone can support our foster and adoptive families, and everyone can get involved in supporting the youth in care. I am proud to say that The Shelter Inc. has been involved in helping to improve the lives of children and families through facilitating and supporting 200 adoptions over the years and, on an annual basis, through our various programs, supporting hundreds of children in Douglas County and northeast Kansas. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, call us.