How could humans be so cruel? What happened to his family? Better question was what happened in the foster homes he bounced around in. Stricter measures and visits need to be implemented within the system to better protect the children. I understand when behaviors aren’t a fit in certain homes, but I couldn’t see my Bunny being an issue anywhere. Granted, I didn’t know him back then, but his calm demeanor told me I had a pretty good grasp on how he had acted and saw nothing wrong with it.
Born into the system as he’d said, it was all he knew, so any mistreatment he received happened within those very homes.Overworked case workers in dire need of help only exacerbate the challenges for all parties involved.
What would it take to protect the kids and put a better system of checks and balances into place and additional workers in the field?
The wheels were in motion and while tackling something of that nature was monumental and outside my area of expertise, helping on another level I could do. My company was big on giving back to the community and while most of our focus was on our LGBTQIA+ family, I felt strongly that adding the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America to our list of paid volunteering programs was a great start.
Carefully, so as to not wake my sleeping angel, I slid my phone from my pocket and fired off an email to my HR manager, Joyce.
To: Joyce Davis
From: Crispin Knight
RE: Approved Paid Volunteer Activities
Joyce,
I hope your day is going well.
First, I wish for us to look into adding the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America to our list of approved paid volunteer activities and corporate backed donations.
Secondly, volunteering with the foster care system. The internet search I just conducted shows that there are volunteer options through most states’ programs. This has become a passion project for me and one that’s very near and dear to my heart. Could you look into this as well and do whatever it takes to sign our company up for any opportunities, whether financial or otherwise, to help?
I look forward to meeting with you about these projects.
Thanks,
Crispin
Not two minutes after I hit send that her reply come through.
From: Joyce Davis
To: Crispin Knight
Re: Have I ever told you you’re my favorite boss?
Crispin,
I’m literally in tears as I sit here re-reading this. As you know, both my sons are adopted, and it was through the foster care system that we found them. They are blood related siblings and keeping them together was important to my husband and me.
How I’d not thought of partnering with both these programs honestly makes me want to stick myself in the corner for a time out. I will get to work on this immediately and look forward to working with them.
Choosing to accept the offer a million years ago to join Knight was one of the best decisions I’d ever made. That along with adopting Jeremiah and Jacob.
Sincerely,
Joyce
Well, her tears triggered mine and while I wasn’t in a position to foster, I did have the means to help in other ways. Was this an end all to fix the issues within the system? No, it wasn’t, but it was a way to give back and hopefully mentor and nurture adolescents in need.
Chapter Seven
Beck
“I’m so nervous.”
“Why,” my best friend sighed and not for the first time today. I think I was making Jobe crazy. “You’ve talked to them on the phone many times.”
