I am interested in knowing if there is any agency in and around
Trenton or Newark, NJ that will allow single or married couples to
invite and intertain children at home during holidays.   My girl
friend and I are successful professionals (her an attorney, me retired
military and international HR Manager) who wish to share our time at
Thanks Giving with a child (age 4-8 years).

Orphaned and abandoned children are likely to be in the care of the
state's foster care program. In view of recent scandals involving the
mistreatment of foster children, and the growing concern about
pedophiles, I very much doubt that the agency responsible for foster
children would risk sending a child to be entertained privately. Your
intentions are no doubt charitable, but you can see that a situation
like this one could be fraught with possible dangers; in these
troubled times, social service agencies must be suspicious in order to
protect the children in the state's care. Unfortunately, those
suspicions may prevent kindhearted persons like yourself from
interacting with needy children in a personal way.

Have you thought about making a donation to a charity that helps
children and families who are in need? There are many worthy charities
that would welcome your assistance, particularly as the holidays
approach.

Hello emj-ga,

I think it?s wonderful that you want to help with giving a special
experience to a child at Thanksgiving. However, I very strongly doubt
that you will be able to entertain a child in your home by yourselves.
I know that in California anyone wanting to work as a volunteer with
children has to go through a background check. I wouldn?t be surprised
if NJ has similar requirements. Maybe you could host a family or a mom
with kids. Churches frequently sponsor families at the holiday season.

There may be other ways that you could help as well. There are many
organizations that are always looking for assistance from community
volunteers. It looks like Children?s Home Society of New Jersey (based
in Trenton) would be able to give you additional information.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.

~ czh ~


http://www.chsofnj.org/
Children's Home Society of New Jersey

http://www.chsofnj.org/pages/volunteer.html
The Children?s Home Society of New Jersey, a nonprofit organization
that serves the people of New Jersey and  eastern Pennsylvania, offers
adoption and foster care options and comprehensive social services for
at-risk children.  The services focus on doing what is best for
children and building healthy families. There are many ways you can
help us help children. Click on the links listed below to find more
information about our volunteer opportunities.

Put in a call to Children's Services or whatever the social agency is
that oversees foster care, etc. They may be able to help you.

 I went to school with a kid who was in a group home and every year at
the holidays she spent with a different family through the Christian
church. She was in some type of group home thing run by the church or
salvation army, something like that, I don't remember the details. It
was for kids who were in the Child Protective services division, not
because of any crimes. I'm sure the familys were certified or
something, so you may ask about what it takes to be certified to be a
holiday foster family.

Good luck and best wishes.