Gay Middle Eastern Adoption
Long before I came out to my parents, I told them that I didn't plan on ever having children. I am the only member whose kids would carry on the family name, so this has been a source of some tension.
As a consolation prize, about a year and a half ago I signed up with the United Palestinian Appeal to sponsor a child in occupied Palestine. "My" child - a Muslim girl who lives in Jerusalem and loves art - gets her schooling and lunch paid for by the money I send.
When I started doing this, it was largely politically driven, as well as a way to keep my charitable contributions focused and organized. I couldn't keep giving money to every homeless person and charity that asked for it - $5 here and $5 there wouldn't really help anyone, and would leave me broke before long.
But reflecting on it now, during this time of crisis in that region, I realize something else: while I don't think I want kids myself, there are plenty of kids in this world who need help. Hundreds of millions go to sleep every night hungry, and wake up to hard labor and abuse rather than to school and the ability to live freely.
In a world where gays are sometimes told we don't make a contribution to the sustaining of the human race, this is not such a small point. I may not give kids my impossible-to-spell, horribly Polish last name, but I can give at least one little girl some hope.
3 comments:
thanks for this. Reading the news about this, I feel so hopeless. Joining this org sounds like a great way to help. I will look into it.
There are ways to help out local youth. Here are a few [or you can Volunteer with SMYAL]-
Volunteer Opportunities by Promise
Promise 1: Children and youth will be safe in their homes and communities
* African American Coalition Against AIDS: www.stophivaids.org, e-mail aacaal@gmail.com, call (301) 499-7178 or write to the organization at 707 Pisa Road, Largo, MD 20774.
* Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc operates PhoneFriend, a free and confidential telephone supportline for children in the metropolitan Washington, DC area between the ages of 5 to 15, who may be home without adult supervision. Information about volunteering is on-line at http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/opp_detail.jsp?oppid=247967.
* Volunteers for Abused & Neglected Children -- www.voladv.org. Volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates to speak up for abused and neglected children in the Court System and provide information and recommendations to the judge in the best interests of children.
Promise 2: Children and youth will have the resources to meet life’s challenges
* Maya Angelou Public Charter School: www.seeforever.org. This school seeks tutors for its students.
* Sasha Bruce Youthwork: This youth-focused service provider has a number of opportunities – they are detailed at http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/org_detail.jsp?orgid=34804.
Promise 3: Children and youth will have a fair chance to succeed no matter where they live
* The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project operates a play and recreation program at the D.C. Village Emergency Family Shelter in far southwest. Details about this opportunity are available at http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/opp_detail.jsp?oppid=267171.
Promise 4: The government will spend public money well and in the best interest of children and youth
There are currently no opportunities associated with this promise
Promise 5: Children will enter school ready to learn
* CentroNia, one of the city’s only comprehensive family support organizations, relies on volunteers to supplement staff in a number of areas including early care and education. More information is available on-line at http://www.centronia.org/html/how_to_get_involved.html or by contacting Renata Claros at 202.332.4200 ext 122 or rclaros@centronia.org
DC Action for Children
1616 P Street, NW, Suite 420
Washington, DC 20036
T. 202-234-9404 F. 202-234-9108
E. dcaction@dckids.org
source was http://www.dckids.org/getinvolved/volunteerbypromise.php
I am happy when anyone helps out kids anywhere, but I'd like to stress that we have many kid right here who deparately need help.
Beyond the groups I've listed there are many other great groups in DC that can help you find way to give kids a leg up. There are also big brother and big sister programs. Having seen the juvenile justice program up close I know that many kids need mentors.
I've yet to see something more gratifying than watching a judge tell a twelve year old [juvie offender] that his progress [with the help of a mentor] was a perfect exemplar of success. His smile must have been two miles wide, and his mother was also grinning. In a system where there are often no winners this was a welcome reprieve.
don't forget Jubilee Youth Services in Adams Morgan.
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