For Children
It is an unfortunate reality that children in the foster care system and some underprivileged youths do not have the same opportunities as their peers. Activities as simple as joining a baseball team or learning to play tennis may be out of reach for them. Visiting the zoo or going to the movies might also be too expensive for them to experience.
These disparities can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, making them feel as though their futures are not as bright. However, this is not true. Every child has the potential for a fulfilling and successful life. No matter the challenges they face, we are here to uplift and support them.
Every child deserves the same opportunities as their peers. Underprivileged youth often hear about the activities their friends can enjoy but may not have access to. We can help bridge that gap. A lack of income should not mean that a child must miss out on enriching experiences. We are dedicated to providing them with the same opportunities and empowering them to build confidence and envision a bright future.
If your child is covered by the State of Kansas Medicaid Program (KanCare), all our activities are available to them. Revivify was founded with foster care children in mind, and we also aim to uplift others who can benefit from our services.
Children in foster care face unique challenges, but together, we can shine a light on their potential. Let’s reflect on the reality of these children in the foster care system.
Compared to the general population, Foster Children have:
7 times the rate of Depression
6 times the rate of Behavioral Problems
5 times the rate of Anxiety
3 times the rate of ADD, Hearing and Vision issues
2 times the rate of Learning Disabilities, Developmental Delays, Asthma, Obesity and Speech Problems
They also have PTSD at 4 times the rate of War Veterans. Not military service members, but 4 times the rate of those military veterans who have fought in wars.
This is the sad truth about our youth in foster care. The vast majority have been neglected or abused physically and sexually. To top that all off, they have lost all control of their lives.
After suffering from neglect and abuse, these children are taken, many times against their will, from their families. They have been told which case worker will make decisions for them. They have a judge who will approve every move that is made with them. They are taken away from their friends, and in many cases, everyone and everything they have ever known. They are told what school they will go to. They are told what family or facility they will be living in. They are told that they will see a therapist. In many cases, they are told that they will not be able to live with their family again.
All of this is a huge burden placed on a child who is scared and feels that nobody is listening to what they want or need. In addition, the average child in foster care will be moved 8 times while in the system. Imagine what they have been through.
At Revivify, we only have one goal in mind for these children. These are good kids who have suffered through some terrible circumstances. We want them to have some control of their lives and provide them with some of the simple pleasures in life. We want to help them to cope with what has, and is happening, to them, while showing them how bright their future can be. Not a small task.
We applaud all the wonderful people who have chosen to be a foster parent. Opening your home, and your heart, to a child who has been through so much is a wonderful thing to do. The challenges are enormous with these kids, and we are here to help.
All children are different in their needs and wants. To begin, we send a Wellness Coordinator to visit with your child, to determine what specific needs they have. From there, we have our Wellness Mentors who will spend time with them and invite them to participate in activities that will help them in their Mental Wellness Journey.
These activities may include going to the Zoo, Botanical Gardens or joining a book club. They may learn to play a sport or develop a new skill. Every child has different interests, and each area has their own attractions and places to go. When there is common ground between children, we set up the activities and interactions.
Working on Mental Wellness will encourage:
Physical Health
Helping them to Address Challenges
Coping with Stress
Problem Solving
Managing Feelings
Building Self Confidence
Improving their Self-Worth
Deciding Goals – Both today and in the future
Contributing to the Community
Having Respect for others
Feeling Joy
Gaining Control of their lives
Connecting with others
Being Kind to themselves
Most Importantly – Believing in their Future
We will address all the underlying challenges that these children will have, but these activities will be geared toward opening them up to a different view of the life ahead of them.
If you have a child who can benefit from our program, please reach out to us. We are here to help and excited to bring smiles to their faces. Any child who is included in KanCare will be provided these services without a charge to you or your facility. We thank KanCare for making this possible.
If you possess a special talent—whether it’s teaching soccer, piano, art, or any other cherished activity—and can spare just a couple of hours each week, we would be thrilled to hear from you.
Additionally, we welcome donations of clothing and other items that can bring joy and utility to children in need. As a community, we have the power to turn challenging situations for these kids into uplifting experiences filled with hope. Thank you for helping make a great difference in the children’s lives.