Foster kids facing risk and fear during the pandemic

LOS ANGELES - May is Foster Care Awareness month, it’s a time that everyone can play a part in changing the lives of children in foster care. Dr. Kay Ramsey joined Good Day LA to tell her harrowing personal story and how it inspired her to become an advocate for others who grew up in the system.

Dr. Ramsey, Executive Director of Bethany Christian Services,  was literally born into the system, as her biological mother gave birth to her in prison. She was one of the lucky ones and was adopted as a toddler to a single mom who raised her in a loving environment. But when her adopted mother passed away, Ramsey, a young adult, she reached out to her biological mom only to learn that her conception was the result of a rape in prison. Her mother was unable to ever connect with her due to that trauma. Ramsey was adrift and even became homeless. Luckily mentorship was available to her and she was able to turn her life around achieving a Master’s Degree, a Doctorate, and dedicating her life to helping children in her same situation.

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Foster kids are already at a disadvantage, often shuffled from home to home searching for adoptive parents and stability. Ramsey's message is that everyone can help. With over 50,000 children in and out of the system in our area, these kids "need levels of love and structure…our families are essential." 

Viewers can be part of the solution and help provide that stability as we slowly return to normal amid this pandemic by reaching out to Bethany Christian Services.