- How could we ensure that each of the 40 kids in our community orphanage/home would be able to be attached to a(n) adult(s) so they would have someone(s) who finds them uniquely special and deeply loves them?
- Should we have each child be "assigned" (hopefully through natural "clicking" matching/pairing) to an adult when s/he first enter our community, and that adult would be the emotional/spiritual parent for the child.
- If the above is to be done, what would happen if this "parent" left the orphanage due to their own life circumstances - we can always find another adult to step up, but how traumatic might it be for the child to "loose" their special parent due to relocation?
One of the other thought I have is for each of our children be in psychotherapy throughout their time at home with us, thus they'll always have another adult who loves them and finds them special. This would be done with our Psychotherapy Service in the Professional Arts Building located on our campus. The psychotherapy service can be staffed by mental health and social work interns, along with other mental health professionals.
I'd love to hear your (reader) ideas on any logistical thoughts, philosophical questions that might come to your mind, so together, we can see where God might want to lead us concerning this dream...
I am so excited that you are going to visit other places that already doing what you are envisioning to be done.
ReplyDeleteI was just recently working with a foster care agency and I also felt worried about the change of homes and foster parents, as well as the guilt I felt when I had to leave, as a clinician. The only thing that gave me peace was that I knew these children could have a healthy separation from me, and it could be reparative in some way. My thought is that if a loving "family member" has to go, the team will help the child experience it in a healthy way, thereby fostering growth rather than causing further trauma.
Keep it up I am excited!