Child Advocacy

I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world, getting to do what I do for a living. It mimics my personality in so many ways. One moment I can be elated with joy, the next deflated by grief. Yet, I am never crushed, never without hope, I am never powerless, never defeated. 

I love my job because I know that nothing is needed more than an advocate. In my faith, I believe that that there is one who advocates on my behalf to God my Father. 

An advocate is one who gives a voice to someone who’s had their voice taken from them. Therefore, advocacy for a child is something that leaves and indelible mark on me every day. To be a part of the restorative process in a child’s life gives me the greatest sense of purpose. I felt the need as I came home today to state this word of thanks, praise, and adoration to God my Father who would take all of my  brokenness and do something redemptive with it.

We do not labor nor suffer nor endure anything in vain. 

This poem was in a portion of the literature we provide people at our agency, as well as two other poems that I have appreciated over the years, written from the perspective of a child in need of an advocate.

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

Render this Child – Anonymous

Render this Child, he is defenseless

Scold him and beat him until he is senseless

Render him stupid, until he is speechless

Render this child, render him helpless

Scold this child, until he is silent

Hate this child, until he is violent

Mold this child, until he will resent

An echo of slander which he can’t lament

He can’t defend against what you have done

He can’t pretend like he’s not your son

Though you have left him to feel forsaken

You’ll never know the life that you’ve taken

You’ll never know of the tears that he’s cried

You’ll never feel how he feels inside

He wanted held by those who had hurt him

Wanted acceptance from those who’d dessert him

Who will cry for the little boy?
By Antwone Fisher
who will cry for the little boy?
Lost and all alone.
Who will cry for the little boy?
Abandoned without his own?
Who will cry for the little boy?
He cried himself to sleep.
Who will cry for the little boy?
He never had for keeps.
Who will cry for the little boy?
He walked the burning sand
Who will cry for the little boy?
The boy inside the man.
Who will cry for the little boy?
Who knows well hurt and pain
Who will cry for the little boy?
He died again and again.
Who will cry for the little boy?
A good boy he tried to be
Who will cry for the little boy?
Who cries inside of me