“ May your hands be an extension of your heart and may you do the work of love with them.” — Aja Monet

The Holiday season is quickly approaching, and the end of 2024 is drawing nigh. This is the time of year when those of us who are blessed to have special children in our lives give particular attention to the little ones that surround us. After all, most of our Fall and Winter holidays seem exclusively focused on bringing joy to the children we love.

But what about the children that we don’t yet know and love; those that are not in our circle? Who will remember those children? I write to you today from the perspective of an Executive Director who is entrusted with the care of an entire community of young people. Children and youth who, while I write, and you read, continue to be vulnerable in this wealthy and well-respected community.

I see vulnerability in our top-tier public school systems, where poor children whose basic needs are not met, fail to meet benchmarks and achieve. I see it in children, who, with their parents are fleeing unstable and unfair housing systems among million-dollar homes and lavish planned communities. I see children, along with their mothers fleeing international and domestic violence and seeking shelter and refuge here in this powerful and affluent region. Significantly, I see it in children who are growing up too quickly trying to navigate the incredible amount of exposure they have to public media and turmoil. Children who have no one to turn to and no one who can help them process their environment; a world which can be so confusing.

Here’s what we know at NCCF: Childhood is Essential! We need to salvage childhood for the least among us if we want to continue to be a strong and esteemed community. What children experience in childhood stays with them. It propels their ability to transition to adulthood and thrive. The community must lead the effort. Supported children cope with their challenges; learn empathy; grow deep clear values; and come back and help others.

Here’s how we do just this at NCCF: we have a range of programs that deal with trauma, abandonment and victimization. We provide relationships and environments that give people a reason to hope and to empower themselves. We give children what they deserve — a safe and stable childhood; an opportunity to transcend what has happened to them and move towards healing and success.

So today, I ask you to help me prioritize all our children. Let’s put our money and our time, where our mouths are this year. Let’s work together and build a community that supports all children.

Warmly,

Ralph D. Belk, LICSW, LCSW-C