The Camellia Network

Happy Monday!  And happy first of October! 

I am excited to announce that starting in October I will be doing a monthly post highlighting some sort of non-profit/charity on my blog!  I have recently come across multiple opportunities to give to others that I felt very strongly about and I hope that by showcasing them here you might feel led to give as well.

Sometimes I see a need or a cause and I feel so incredibly drawn to help out, but don't.  I don't help because I feel like I can't do enough, or feel that I don't have enough money to help, or feel like what if I give to one organization and then the next month I see something else I want to give to, but don't have the money/resources to help because I gave somewhere the month before and on and on and on.  In my indecision and fear I don't do anything at all.  I am sick of letting opportunities to bless and help others pass me by due to my lack of faith or fear.

So, I have decided I am going to do something NOW.  I am going to make a decision to help out no matter how small.  Not everyone can give to every cause, but I can do something.  And yes, I know I don't have millions of readers, or even tens of thousands, heck, not really even thousands, but I am believing that even if the only result of these posts is my individual contributions, it will be worth it.  I have made the commitment to give a certain amount each month from my Mary Kay paychecks and then also a percentage of sales above and beyond that number.  I hope that you will join me in taking action now, no matter how small, to help people in our own communities and beyond.

Today, I am highlighting The Camellia Network.  I first learned about them here. 

Borrowing from their website, The Camellia Network's mission is to create a national network that connects every youth aging out of foster care to the critical resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive in adulthood.

Did you know that in most states when a foster child reaches the age of 18 they are forced out of the system even if they have nowhere to go?  25% of these kids will end up incarcerated and 25% will end up homeless.  About 30,000 kids age out of the foster care system each year and have no support system in place to help them succeed.

Here is a great video about their organization.

The Camellia Network is not giving handouts but rather a hand up to individuals trying to make a better life for themselves and in some cases their children also. 

I encourage you to check out their website and see what they are doing.  After registering on their site, giving is pretty easy. 

One thing I like about this organization is that you can browse registries of the youth that are on their site and give towards a specific need.  I gave to Isabelle who is registered for many baby items.  If you don't want to spend time looking at profiles and registries you can simply give to The Camellia Network through a giving link at the top of their page.

One thing that really hit home for me was that our system takes these kids out of their homes because we feel they will be better in foster care than they are in their own homes.  While I am sure that this is true, it is sad that then once these kids turn 18 we simply abandon them and wish them good luck.  I don't know about you, but I am not sure how I would have made it through college or having a baby or moving into my first apartment without the support (both emotional and financial) of my family.  These kids do not have that same support.  Investing, even a little, to make sure someone doesn't end up homeless or incarcerated makes sense to me and I hope it does to you also.

I am really excited about what the future holds for these posts!  I already know what organizations I will be highlighting for November and December and I am beyond excited to introduce them to you as well!