This Season, Think Of The Children

This is a season of renewal and rebirth. Nature is waking up from her
long winter.

This is a season of renewal and rebirth. Nature is waking up from her
long winter. The trees are beginning to bud, the birds are singing, and
the sounds of children playing outside can be heard once again. These
delights are all the more special because of the long winter we've endured.

The same is true for our children. Our kids especially appreciate the
care and love they experience here because they know what it means to
suffer pain and mistreatment. I wish you could see the changes I have
seen in them as they find love, faith and hope resurrected in their lives.

The Latin root of the word "resurrection" means "to lift up again." The
visual image I use for resurrection is helping up someone who has
fallen. Our work here at Girls and Boys Town is resurrection work. Our
Christian kids are inspired by the story of Christ's resurrection.
Children of other faiths connect with their own faith stories of triumph
over evil to help them find help, healing and hope.

All the girls and boys we help began life like every other child in
America-talented, loving and full of promise. Unfortunately, somewhere
they fell down-pushed down by adults who abused or neglected them. Some
fell into using drugs and alcohol, promiscuous sex, stealing, lying or
hanging with a bad crowd.

"Dad was never around, and Mom was high most of the time," said Kenisha,
a 14-year-old who is excelling in school today and is a member of our
choir. "There were times I had to eat weird stuff because there was no
food in the house. I would find an excuse to stay with friends because
at least they had electricity and a real meal."

For Jason, a 16-year-old, Girls and Boys Town is providing
problem-solving skills and a chance to rebuild relationships with his
family. His future is much brighter than before. In fact, Jason said he
is lucky to be alive.

"I just decided to be bad," Jason said. "I knew what was right and wrong
and I chose to go against my parents. Pretty soon I found myself with a
bunch of kids who did drugs and stole stuff. It scared me after awhile
because I found myself in front of guys with guns."

Thank you for being a part of Kenisha's and Jason's resurrection. With
your help, Girls and Boys Town will make this springtime a true chance
for a new life for the children in America who need it most. We'll lift
them up again and again until they can stand on their own.