Prolonged shortages of electricity and water are having a profound impact on organizations across Texas that serve children and family who suffer from abuse, neglect, domestic violence, homelessness, substance use disorders and more. Organizations have faced lengthy power outages, busted pipes, water shortages and dwindling food supplies.
In the face of these challenges, child-serving organizations continue to take extraordinary and creative steps to meet the needs of vulnerable kids. Fortunately, many community partners — from churches to restaurants to volunteers — have stepped up to provide assistance and critical resources to help vulnerable children, youth and families, as well as the staff who serve them.
“Kids often come into the child welfare system after experiencing severe trauma, and the pandemic has compounded that trauma by further isolating kids and taking away many of their normal activities and routines,” said Katie Olse, CEO of the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services, a statewide network of organizations that provide a continuum of child-welfare services, from foster care to emergency shelter to adoption services. “This week, the challenges facing Texas kids have continued to mount. Fortunately, the organizations that serve these kids are used to working through many challenges and are going to extraordinary lengths to meet their basic needs. We understand that kids need us. Still, like so many Texans, child-welfare professionals never expected they would face such critical and life-threatening conditions.”
Volunteers and groups looking to help child-serving organizations are encouraged to reach out to TACFS staff at info@tacfs.org or visit our winter storm relief page.
“Organizations serving vulnerable kids have lost basic necessities. It’s a frightening time for kids who have already experienced trauma and the adults who are committed to caring for them. While we recognize millions of Texans are suffering right now, we ask that those who are in a position to help consider donating resources, food or supplies to child-serving organizations in your community.”
Katie Olse, TACFS CEO