Stories
By Ron Bertsch
Tragic news of fifty-nine dead, many others in critical condition, hundreds still wounded and millions of us scarred after the senseless mass shooting in Las Vegas on October 1. The television news listed all the mass shootings in the last decades. A sense of panic, doom and anxiety seems to be spreading. Coworkers voiced concern about going outside. Can we go anywhere and take our families and not dread the worst case scenario?
Since 1988 when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May as National Foster Care Month, each President has made the same Proclamation. This tradition is a great way to honor foster parents for the work, sacrifices and love they share but it also highlights the need for good families to care for abused and neglected children across the nation.
Ron Bertsch
November 8, 2016
A few years ago, I attended a presentation by professor, author and speaker, Leonard Sweet. He was addressing a group of mostly church ministers from around the tri-state at a Pastor’s Appreciation Breakfast hosted by STAR93 radio. The reason for my presence was to promote our need for foster and adoptive parents here at the DCCH Center.
What struck me so profoundly, though, was Mr. Sweet’s message.
Ron Bertsch
Previously published March 2016
Josh is one of the young people served at DCCH. He is another victim of the heroin epidemic. His mom overdosed. His dad was given custody, but was later sentenced to prison on heroin charges.
At five, Josh entered foster care. He witnessed domestic violence, moved from place to place, felt the pain of physical abuse and suffered unimaginable neglect. Yet, he survived! Josh learned to trust in a new foster family. They fed and clothed him, sheltered and nursed him, comforted, counseled and guided him. They patiently forgave him when he was angry and acted out.