On today's show, we hear Erin Argue and Megan Ransom from Partnerships for Children, a nonprofit in Austin, Texas.  Later, Bruce Gale brings us an interview with Kylee McCumber, one of our earlier Kid Heroes.

According to a 2017 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report, the number of children in the foster care system nationally has been steadily increasing in recent years.  

Too many of these children will be further abused in systems that are supposed to protect them. And instead of being safely reunified with their families or quickly placed with forever families, many will languish for years in foster homes or institutions.

According to the National Foster Youth Institute, more than 23,000 kids age out of U.S. foster care each year. Without the support that comes from an adoptive family, these kids face really tough odds. Many will end up with criminal records and chemical dependencies.  Many girls will face pregnancies at a young age. Few will graduate college.

That brings us to today's highlighted nonprofit, Partnerships for Children...

Partnerships for Children works to empower and support abused and neglected children in the care of Child Protective Services. As a nonprofit in Central Texas, Partnerships for Children leads a collection of programs that offer resources, support and comfort for foster children and families in the community. Their close partnership with Child Protective Services and ability to connect with kids at all stages in their lives allow them to better serve those who need them most. @PartnershipsforChildren

Through their Heart Gallery of Central Texas which features 200 children annually, they work to find forever families for children through direct recruitment opportunities and education of foster and adoptive families.  Their Youth Empowerment and Success (YES) Mentoring program provides mentors for youth in CPS, aged 14 and older, as they’re learning to be autonomous adults.  

While in Austin, Texas last month, Bev had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Erin Argue, Director of Mentoring Services and Megan Ransom, Director of Foster & Adopt Services.

Today’s Kid Hero, Kylee McCumber, founded Kylee’s Kare Kits for Kidz in 2012 at the young age of 10 after she noticed children eating breakfast in the school’s cafeteria. When she found out they didn’t have enough food to eat at home she knew she needed to do something to help them. She started with providing food for 10 children. Now 16 years old, Kylee’s program provides Kare Kits to 438 children every week.

She has traveled to the Philippines, India, Dominican Republic and France.  She works part-time at Market Basket as well.

Kylee traveled to Mumbai, India as part of the Unilever Project Sunlight program to film a commercial to raise awareness about child hunger.   She was a guest on the Queen Latifah. Along with awards and stories on national TV shows and networks, Kylee also travelled to Washington, D.C. where she received a citation from Congressman James McGovern.  @KyleesKareKitsForKidz

Bruce Gale brings us today’s interview with our earlier Kid Hero, Kylee.