Finding Your Place Along the River in 2024
We serve an incredible community! In addition to our cultural diversity, economic vitality, and deeply rooted identity, Houstonians consistently display a strong spirit of volunteerism, generosity, and community support.
This presents us with a unique opportunity. Although The Riverside Project is specifically focused on the foster care system, foster care is not an isolated problem. The various systemic issues affecting children and families (poverty, homelessness, addiction, incarceration, human trafficking, etc.) are interconnected, and the prospect of real, lasting change requires that we address these issues in a holistic manner. We believe Houston is up to this challenge. From our vantage point, we’re convinced that Houston is well-situated to build a system of support that works for each and every Houstonian.
At TRP, we often talk about this holistic approach to system transformation by encouraging people to “find their place along the River.” Here’s an animated video that explains what we mean:
For years now, we’ve been privileged to witness the power of Houstonians finding their unique place along the River — some upstream, some downstream, and many somewhere in-between.
We get to see church leaders eagerly jumping at the opportunity to better support the foster care community. We get to watch as foster parents and caretakers reimagine how best to love and connect with children in trauma-informed ways. We get to witness the generosity of everyday Houstonians as practical needs are met across through the Response Network. We get to partner with incredible organizations and practitioners who have served children and families for years and years. We get to resource and encourage and mobilize people who always thought that serving vulnerable children was for someone else.
Today, we simply want you to know that YOU have a place along the River as well. We all do. Your role is unique, and we would love to help you discover it:
We All Can Gain Awareness
You can begin by growing your awareness.
Education increases our empathy, understanding, and insight. Before you can find your place along the River, it’s helpful to understand the challenges and complexities facing the foster care system in Houston. The Riverside Project Podcast is a great place to start! We seek to grow awareness by publishing enlightening conversations with front-line workers within the foster care system.
From There, Consider Taking the Next Step:
If you’re not sure how to begin, you can always reach out to our team. We absolutely love making connections and resourcing people looking to serve.
Perhaps you might consider getting certified to babysit. Or you might encourage your church to support vulnerable children in your neighborhood through the Response Network. (This article is a great place to start.) Perhaps you’d benefit from our step-by-step guide to becoming a foster parent. Or maybe you’d be interested in registering for our next Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) training.
We look forward to seeing all that 2024 holds for our community, and we encourage you to take your next step. If Houston is transformed for the better, it’ll be thanks to a city full of people just like you!
