The holidays are not the same for everyone...

There's a tear in my coffee this morning as I think about what the holidays mean to me, and what they mean to the children in our care here at work.

For those of you who don't know, I work for a non-profit organization that has programs that provide care, education, treatment, research and training to promote and restore the physical and emotional health of children, youth and their families. We don't give services away to just anyone, they must have a real need. Each of our clients are screened carefully so that there is no abuse of the "system." We won't waste valuable resources on those who don't meet our stringent intake process.

Everyday is tough for children growing up without parents but the holidays are even harder. It's not the lack of gifts, it's the lack of family that hurts.

We have a facility for undocumented children who have been on the streets or riding the rail system from South America who were brought here by "coyotes" or "human traffickers" and who are running from abuse or just trying to reunite with their families in the US who left other countries to come here and try to earn a living. Once we unite them, the Government tracks them and if its an imigration issue with their family, they will all be deported. If you ever get a chance to see "Which Way Home" (HBO and Netflix has it), its an eye opener.

These are also those children have been abused and are running to try and find a better life for their families back home. They have been sold a 'bill of goods' by coyotes that they can come here  to the US and earn $30,000 to $40,000 a year and send it back home to their families. Their families hock everything they own sometimes to come up with the $6,000 they have to pay the human trafficers. Only to have them get to the US and inform the parents back in Mexico that their children will not be released until they come up with more money, a lot more money. If they don't release the kids, the kids will begin making the human traffickers income by prostituting, stealing and other mob-like actitivies. If we don't get them off the streets, they will more than likely be picked up by dangerous gangs such as MS-13, Azteca or Zeta. The only way out of those gangs is death. We receive these children from Border Patrol, local law enforcement and ICE. We are a holding facility as see they go to court, go home, reunite with their families or depending on their circumstances may end up in our Foster Care Program.

Other young children have been living on the streets for months before we get them. They have seen and experienced things that no child should. Some (boys and girls) have been raped, physically abused, or watched this happen to someone else. The age range is from 5 years old to 18 and we are seeing more and more in the 5-12 year old range. They come to us with a suitcase full of emotional issues. We give them warmth, comfort, education and therapy. And, try our best to provide a safe and secure environment for thier time with us. Our staff does a great job parenting them, but we both know it’s not the same as having your own parents. Some of them have been dropped off at the border by their parents, some are here because their parents have been murdered, are in jail, or Mommy and Daddy have left their home country to come here and make a living and left the kids behind. Some of them are just running from sexual abuse, the list of reasons is long. Whatever the reason, they are in need of our help.

We also have a program dedicated to youth that are about to "age out" of our Foster Care programs where they reside fulltime. We help them transition into the working world; teach them life skills that will give them the confidence and ability to live on their own. We also have a facility for older youth that will never be adopted.

Our residential center that houses children who will never be adopted is the most heartbreaking of all to me. These troubled kids don't have the gift of a loving family, a bedroom of their own, they can't visit with friends outside of the facility other than in school. They don't have the joy of seeing aunts and uncles and cousins and sharing memories of fun times together. My heart bleeds for these children right now. They have no family, they don't know the love of a mother or father.

My compassion is strong for the children 365 days a year but even more so during the holidays. Many of these children have never had a sit down Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with family. They have never felt the joy of the holidays, as many of us know it. Their emotions run strong. For those children without parents who are "throw away" kids its even tougher.

Until I came to work here a few years ago, I had no comprehension of how many of these children were out there. The numbers are huge and growing. It's an ugly life for child.

It's so easy to forget these children this time of year when we are busying ourselves with our own celebrations. Our programs are here out of necessity only. Unfit parents or tough times have made these kiddos homelless. They need a hand up and that what we try to give them. Education, safety and a chance at life.

We have many generous donations this time of year. Gifts for the children and families are plentiful, to me, whats missing is peace in their hearts.

Please take a moment to remember these children and families in your thoughts and prayers. Pray they can somehow find comfort and joy this holiday season.

Not everyone realizes this problem exists. These children get lost in the cracks of society. If you are departed from your families during the holidays or just feel like giving your time, contact a local child welfare organization near you and see what you can do to help. Sometimes its just gift wrapping, singing carols, or helping cook a traditional holiday dinner for the children. You will get back tenfold what you give.

Thank you for taking the time to read this today, and hopefully you can share a moment of silence and good thoughts for these kids.

Warmest wishes for a joy filled holiday with your loved ones.

-Connie