day of the child

today is the day of the child event, put on by children uniting nations. this is a one day carnival event for foster youth. this year (and last) it is being held at star eco station in culver city. they rent out the venue and transform it into a carnival with rides, games, and entertainment. hundreds of foster children are bussed in from all around the greater los angeles area and partnered with a young adult mentor who accompanies them at the carnival for the day. the goal of this organization is providing mentorship relationships between adults and foster youth, providing safe spaces and quality, stable relationships for children faced with constant instability and insecurity.

this is an event that i attend every year, but this year, my anxiety got the better of me and alas i am home, writing about it instead of attending it.

in the past years, i have unfortunately got partnered with children who have not wanted to be there. despite not wanting to be there, i felt like the kid i was partnered with last year and i were both there for a larger reason. i really felt like i could play a positive and helpful role in this kids life. after the event, i tried, as they encourage, to become a full time mentor for this kid but the organization never got back to me. i called and called and eventually i got too busy with graduation and grad school stuff to stay on top of my calling. im sad that it fell through and i still think about him from time to time, wondering where hes at, if he got reunited with his father like he hoped, and if he is okay.

this year the organization and the event are close to my heart because of a situation at work. im kind of bummed i ended up not going, but next year is a new year.