As a former Guardian ad Litem and child abuse/neglect investigator, I can tell you that when economic times are hard, there is an increase in the reporting and the verified occurrence of situations where children are either abused or neglected. The stress of trying to make ends meet, particularly for those who were just barely doing that when the economy was good, creates the extra stress on families that leads to domestic violence and child abuse.
Typically, during tough times, the budget cuts affect those on the lower end of the economic spectrum hardest. And, they are the ones with the least resources available to help them through such times.
You can help make a difference, if you so choose. Contact elected officials and let them know that cuts in the budgets for services to those at the lower end of the financial scale are not forgotten. Contact elected officials and let them know that you are against cuts in the law enforcement and social services agencies that intervene in domestic violence and child abuse/neglect cases are not where the money is cut.
Then, check out those agencies that are volunteer based and invest a bit of time to help make a difference.
Over at the
NRV Hub, you can find a link to one such group, CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. On the NRV Hub you will find information about a fund raiser being held by CASA which is a wonderful thing. But, beyond that consider whether you have the time to help make a difference in a child's life. The role of the CASA (or Guardian ad Litem in some states) is to be there, in Court, to represent what is in the best interest of the child.
The time that I spent as a Guardian ad Litem was some of the most rewarding I have ever spent. Today, years later, I still hear from some of those children and families. Helping to make a positive difference in a child/family's life is about as 'good as it gets'.
Click on over to the
NRV Hub and see the information on the fund raiser and consider lending a hand. Then, consider joining and being trained as a "Voice for Children".
(By the way, the
NRV Hub is also a great place to keep your 'finger on the pulse' of events occurring around the NRV. When times get tough, those who survive it best are those who do for others and take the time to find something special to do for themselves as well.)