Foster*A*Life was established in June, 2004, by Lubbock psychologist, Dr. Shaun H. Keel. Dr. Keel has worked with foster children in the Lubbock area for fifteen years on a weekly basis. These children are in the custody of Children’s Protective Services and have been removed from their homes due to physical abuse, sexual abuse and / or neglect. These children have been traumatized by the abuse, but also by the removal from the only caretakers they have known. They have missed out on so many things in their short lives.
While in her office, these children would frequently make comments to Dr. Keel about not having things many children take for granted such as having a birthday party or playing on a summer baseball team. As a mother, Dr. Keel always wanted to do more for these children than she was able to do through her practice. Therefore, she created Foster*A*Life so that these “forgotten” children of the Lubbock area could have special dreams and opportunities to help them feel important and to help improve their self-esteem. With the help of her friends and family, Foster*A*Life was established and the agency quickly began fulfilling foster children’s dreams.
Help Us Turn Their Dreams into a Reality
Just for a moment, imagine what it would be like to live every day of your life in an environment of abuse and neglect – where your basic needs were not provided, where you lived in fear of being hit, where you wondered what tomorrow might bring, even if there would be a tomorrow? Fortunately, most of us do not ever have this experience, but it is a harsh reality for some children in our community. Foster children don’t choose this life, but you and I can choose to help them overcome it.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Foster *A*Life is to raise funds to provide things for these children that will enhance their lives and improve their self-esteem.
The Mission
The mission of Foster*A*Life is to provide otherwise unavailable assistance, services and opportunities to children who have been placed in foster care. The purpose is to enhance the lives of those children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Foster*A*Life hopes to promote a more positive self-image and increase self-esteem by promoting the overall well-being of these children.
Foster*A*Life is the 2007 recipient of the Volunteer Organization of the Year by the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards.