Louisiana appeal in times of disaster: black children in need of homes

Carol Forsloff - While children in Haiti and Pakistan, and in different parts of the
world, struggle for survival, there are children in need in our home
states as well, children in need of homes and love, that folks can help
right now.

  Maurice, a child in need of adoption in Louisiana


Some of these children are called "exceptional" needs children because
they may be children of color, older children or children with
disabilities.  Usually these are the last children taken.  People look
for babies to adopt, and babies that look like them.  That means the
majority of those seeking to adopt, who are white families, look for the
fair-cheeked child, not readily available, but the most desired.

But there are desirable children, with balance, good qualities and
winning personalities we hear of here and there.  Most of us, however,
glaze over these pictures that flash on newspaper pages, and then are
gone, forgotten.

One-third of all children available for adoptions are African American, but statistics show
girls are the first choice among adopting parents if they take an older
child.  The ones left behind are the young black male children, who at a
disproportionate rate end up in jail.

Let's not forget they're here in Louisiana.  Social service workers know
these children; and although the "advertisements" seem to gush, most
workers will give the facts, of course, when folks inquire.

A story about a child named Maurice is shown on
the Louisiana Department of Children and Families with the title,
"Winning Personality Helps Pre-teen Excel on the Field and at Home "

This is what the paper describes, the value of a child that needs a home right in Louisiana's own backyard."12-year old Maurice has a fantastic smile and a winning personality. He
hasn’t yet found a sport that he doesn’t love. Maurice is a big Saints
and Hornets fan.

12-year
old Maurice has a fantastic smile and a winning personality. He hasn’t
yet found a sport that he doesn’t love. Maurice is a big Saints and
Hornets fan. Video games are also one of his favorite activities.
Maurice is “quick on his feet” and can out-run and out-maneuver many of
his friends on the football field. Though he loves winning, he gets his
greatest joy from just being a part of a team.

An all-around outdoorsman, Maurice also enjoys spending time riding his
bike. He keeps his caretakers on their feet during outdoor activity
time.

This 7th grader does well in school and earns above average grades.
Though school does not excite him as much as sports, Maurice understands
how important it is to do well.

Maurice desires to be successful at whatever he chooses to do when he
grows up. He says that he can do just about anything, but for right now
he wants to concentrate on what he wants most, a family to call his own.
Maurice does well in a structured and consistent environment. He is
looking forward to getting that in a home of his own.

For more information on other children in need of adoption, call the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services at 1-(800) 259-3428"


A child in need, a child indeed, a child who needs a home, who needs
more than a page on a government site, but right here for everyone to
see.


Saving one child's life makes a difference, those who work with these
children say, but they also underline that the children bring love to a

lucky family; and that too is a special thing.  And they are here in our communities today.