What do you think of when you hear the term “homeless?”  Even though I know better, my mind immediately pictures adults in tattered clothes asking for change. Not the case. 51% of homeless people in my state of Michigan are adults and children in families! In fact, families with children is the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. 42% of homeless children are under the age of 5. FIVE YEARS OLD! In America. This does not make sense to me. In addition to our homeless children we have to take into account all the kids waiting for adoption. Lucky them they have a warm bed to sleep in and are not going hungry. But that’s not enough. Entitlement is not a legitimate condition in too many cases, but the right of a child to have his basic needs met, including a family to love them, is definitley one of them. These children in need are all around us. So why do we look right over them and far away to help others? Why did 16 families from Michigan head to Haiti in January to adopt children?

Simple. Because that’s what their hearts told them. Have you ever felt a calling? Just been so drawn to something – a something that never faded over time and only got stronger? I did. When I was ten I declared I did not want to have children and that I planned to adopt “orphans” someday.  It only made sense to me. Why bring more children into a world already filled with children who needed families? I felt very strongly about it and still do. I never felt the desire to have my own baby. But that’s just me and I don’t hold it against anyone else for desiring something else. Where this came from I don’t know. But once I learned there were kids who didn’t have parents - they never left my mind or my heart. That’s what I call a a calling. And this particular calling of mine drew me to 3 year old and 7 year old siblings in Flint, Michigan. But just like all preferences, tastes, and ideas, mine are not the same as yours. We all dance to different drums and receive different messages.

We live in a WORLD. Not a state, not a city. I believe that no child, regardless of where he or she is located, is any less valuable than another. Every child that comes into this world deserves the chance to thrive. LUCKILY in our world we have not only the MEs and the ROSIE O’DONNELLS who feel passionate about local adoption, but also the ANGELINA JOLIES who feel drawn to children outside of our country. Am I a fan of hers? No. But I respect and applaud the work she does for those less fortunate. The notion I hear from so many that we should “take care of our own” before we tend to those outside our borders is ridiculous! At no level- be it individual, household, corporation, city, state, nation – does effective management and problem solving come from focusing on one problem and ignoring others! This does not lead to success.  Children in need is one issue that must be considered as a whole. Choosing one group is a death sentence to another. Could you look two children in the eye – give the American child a sandwich and send the foreign one away hungry? Of course not. (And if you answered yes then really…  shame on you is all I can say) It’s easy to say we should only help our own, but are you prepared to deliver that sentence to the others?

I have a question that always comes to mind when I hear people complaining about things. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM?  Bitching, moaning, & complaining isn’t helping one child in need. It’s not feeding anybody or keeping them warm. If you feel a calling to local kids in need, do something about it. Adopt one. It’s not that hard to do. Big brother or sister one. If adding to your family isn’t an option you can still be an advocate. There are many ways to help.  Being an advocate is as simple as spreading the word about whatever fires you up – either in line at the grocery store, on your blog, at work, or through an event. But spread the word in a positive way so people will hear you. Don’t undermine anything or anyone else. Especially in the case of children because every single one of them deserves a chance.

What have you done lately to help a child in need?