We often talk about the “need” in foster care, but it’s rare to see it captured with the depth and grit of a veteran investigative reporter.
Recently, renowned local author Greg O’Brien sat down with our co-founder, Andy Palmer, for a feature in Psychology Today. The resulting article, “Foster Care: Angels on a Battlefield,” doesn’t pull any punches about the crisis facing children today—both nationally and right here on the Cape and Islands.
A New Kind of Surgery
Many of you know Andy as the heart of the Foster Closet, but you may not know his “former” life. Before retiring to the Cape, Andy was one of the world’s top orthopedic hand surgeons. He spent decades mending the hands of professional athletes and world leaders.
As Greg O’Brien beautifully points out, Andy and his wife Sharon are still in the business of healing—just in a way they never saw coming.
The Staggering Reality
The article highlights some sobering statistics that drive our mission every day:
- The Gap: For every 100 children entering foster care, only 57 licensed homes are available.
- The Trauma: Children often enter the system with their only belongings in a trash bag—a practice we are working hard to end by providing every child with a new duffel bag or backpack.
- The Mission: Our goal isn’t just to provide “stuff,” but to provide the dignity and “abiding love” that every child deserves.
Read the Full Story
We are so grateful to Greg O’Brien for shining a light on this “battlefield” and for recognizing the small army of volunteers and donors who act as “angels” for these children.
Whether you are a long-time supporter or new to our community, we encourage you to read this piece. It’s a raw, honest look at why we do what we do, and the incredible impact we can make when a community decides to stand in the gap for its children.
