Through the Storm of 2020, This Agency Provides a Rainbow of Hope to Children in Need

When’s the last time you left your home, not knowing when you’d return, only carrying the clothes on your back?

More than likely, the answer is ... never.

Sadly, this is the reality of hundreds of children in our very own community each year.

Certain circumstances, such as physical and sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment, or situations promoting immediate danger to children, are legal causes for children to be removed from their residences by Child Protective Services (CPS). 

Left with nothing in their name and being removed from the only home they know, what is ultimately for their good, becomes a traumatic experience for many children. 

• Where am I going?

• Why am I being taken away from my family?

• Do they not love me anymore?

• Does anyone care about me?

The confusion, grief, and helplessness become the primary overwhelming emotions for many children, leaving them feeling unwanted and uncared for.

But the good news is …

People do care. And they care enough to act.

The Rainbow of Hope

Community Partners of Denton County is an organization of volunteers dedicated to making each child entering foster care feel valued, loved, and cared for. Stemming off of the Children Protective Services Board, they were founded in 2004. 

Utilizing partnerships as one of their greatest assets, Community Partners of Denton County is a virtual partner of Serve Denton, which has provided them many opportunities to grow their network and presence within the community. 

It’s the little things like these that add up to show each child that they are cared for and provided for. 

By providing emergency items to each child as they transition into a safe and healthy environment, children are able to feel (and some for the very first time) prioritized, seen, and valued.

And unlike what many of these children are used to, the items provided by Community Partners of Denton County are all brand new. Not second hand, not used, but freshly bought with each child’s needs in mind.

Receiving a brand new pair of jeans or a brand new dress symbolizes to each child that they are worthy of the best. A concept many of them have yet to have experienced in their life.

Simple items such as a blanket or a new pair of shoes also become treasures of comfort and stability for many of these children. Denton Quilt Guild has filled the need and donates new quilts for each and every child.

Going to sleep in a new bed, in a new house, with a new family can feel overwhelming. But curling up each night with a brand new blanket chosen specifically for you eases the transition and brings comfort to an otherwise uncomfortable situation.

It’s the little things like these that add up to show each child that they are cared for and provided for. 

Each Rainbow Room, located in the CPS offices of Lewisville, Carrollton, and Denton, where these critical items are stocked include urgently needed resources such as clothes, shoes, and toiletries.

Each child is provided a duffle bag filled with 5 days of clothing and toiletries and other age-specific goods within 24 hours of being assigned a case manager. 

But the children aren’t the only ones who benefit from such generosity.

Rainbow Rooms also provide relief for foster parents who may be struggling financially. By offsetting a portion of the expenses associated with caring for a child, foster parents are able to focus their budget on other needed items to ensure the child they are welcoming into their home is fully provided for and comfortable.  

Not even a cloudy pandemic can hide the rainbow

Just because a global pandemic has halted life, businesses, and the economy doesn’t mean it’s put a halt to children suffering in their homes.

COVID-19 has altered family dynamics in ways that threaten to put already vulnerable children at increased risk of abuse and neglect. The added stressors of unstable employment, limited access to childcare, increased levels of stress and anxiety has led to a greater chance of child maltreatment.

Most agencies who work with the population of hurting children fear the surge of increased cases that will come with the reopening of schools in the next few weeks and months.

Studies conducted after the 2008 recession showed that the similarly sudden rise in unemployment was linked to an increase in child abuse. And within the first two months of the 2020 pandemic, pediatricians across the country reported treating more severe injuries caused by abuse, along with an increase in fatalities.

Ironically, comparing 2019 to 2020 by month, the data shows that the monthly state totals of child abuse reports were an average of 14.2 percent lower in March 2020, 40.6 percent lower in April, and 35.1 percent lower in May.

So what does this actually mean?

It’s a well-known fact that the majority of child abuse and neglect concerns are reported primarily by trusted adults such as school personnel, teachers, and counselors. And with in-person schools being closed around the state and metroplex, opportunities to assess children’s well-being have been limited.

What it does not mean is that children are miraculously out of the woods when it comes to maltreatment. 

In fact, most agencies who work with the population of hurting children fear the surge of increased cases that will come with the reopening of schools in the next few weeks and months.

Knowing this, Community Partners of Denton County has lost no time preparing for the projected incoming needs of children ages 0-18.

They’ve worked tirelessly to ensure they are prepared to offer hope, comfort, and provision to any and all children in need. Determined to make each Rainbow Room well stocked with needed materials and items, they are ready to embrace each child with loving care and support.

Just last week, a little girl entering foster care was turning 5 years old and trying to celebrate her birthday while entering a world of confusion, uncertainty, and fear. 

Community Partners of Denton County didn’t let her go unnoticed. In addition to providing her with the standard care items and clothing, they went above and beyond to make her feel special and gave her a sequin unicorn blanket, a brand new Minnie Mouse blanket, and other birthday goodies to remind her that her life is worth being celebrated. 

When so many children are bracing the storm of their less than desired situations, the rainbow of Community Partners of Denton County continues to shine brightly as a beacon of hope.

You can help the rainbow shine brighter

As most agencies are fully staffed by volunteers, they can’t do it alone.

Community Partners of Denton County depends heavily on the support of the community to provide the necessary items for each of these hurting children.

And you have the opportunity to come alongside them. You have the opportunity to help bring hope to a child in a hopeless situation.

Consider volunteering with the agency and help their rainbow shine even brighter. Whether it's a neighborhood drive for needed items, a collection of resources to help the organization flourish, or simply the gift of your time, you can make a life-changing impact to hundreds of children.

Will you answer the call?