Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : The Sauna -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TradeOfTheDay who wrote (126)	7/6/2001 9:15:47 AM
From: Poet	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1857

I can't agree with you more. Fostering kids has definitely got to be one of the most difficult and selfless things a person can do, as it combines all the trials of parenthood with an already-scarred child and must be done under the eye of state agencies. I worked as a mentor to abused adolescent girls in a local group home for a few years. I finally stopped, whenI realized I'd hit the wall of my own compassion. (Temporarily, I hope.). I'd mentored a girl for two years, well past the age of eighteen. The state took care of her and saw to it that she not only graduated from high school via special schooling (she had low IQ and learning disabilities), but gave her a year's worth of life skills training, including money management, cooking, dealing with social services. Then the state gave her an apartment, furnished and rent-free, for four years if she would agree to attend school part time. She announced during her farewell party at the group home that she was pregnant. She veered back and forth over the course of her pregnancy as to whethershe'd give the baby up for adoption. She kept the baby and refused to attend classes or work. This has gone on for seven months. She was notified by the state that she cannot stay in the housing because shehasn't fulfilled her obligation. I received a letter from her last week, a form letter with my name inserted at the beginning, telling me she was being "kicked out", that she had no money, and was asking for donations to support her and her daughter. I am absolutely furious. I haven't written her yet, but I've got a lecture brewing about taking responsibility for one's life.