NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO

"I believe that nothing tells us more about ourselves as a society

than the way we love and care for our children"

- DANIEL TROUTMAN

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE MUSIC

My hope, every time I release music, is that I can always do so to help someone else or point people to a greater purpose. I chose to record and release the song, Rescue by Lauren Daigle, to help bring attention to the various challenges that our children face in the world today. I know we may not all agree on everything but maybe we can unite around our love for our children and the mission to provide a safe and stable world for them to grow up in. Below are a few causes that I chose to bring awareness to that are close to my heart. Let's join together and be the change that we want to see in their lives.

CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

In 2019, over 672,000 children spent time in U.S. foster care.

On average, children remain in state care for over a year and a half, and five percent of children in

foster care have languished there for five or more years.

Less than half are placed with a family member or relative to care for them while in foster care.

On average, 64 youth age of foster care every day and find themselves with no support at age 18.

20% of all youth that age out of foster care become homeless.

Within four years of aging out, 50% have no earnings, and those who do make an average annual income of $7,500.

After a foster youth ages out, homelessness and unemployment become a huge issue.

Despite there being more than 34 million entry level jobs nationwide, many foster youth aren’t prepared to be independent and don’t have the skills or resources needed to access the opportunities that could launch them into employment.

An amazing organization that is a refuge for children awaiting foster care placement and an advocate to the foster care system is the Isaiah 117 House. To learn more about Isaiah 117 and their mission and vision please visit

isaiah117house.com

To take the next steps in becoming a foster parent or foster family please visit

www.tn.gov/tnfosters/foster-parent.html

CHILDREN BORN PREMATURELY

Some of the most vulnerable children in the world are the millions of babies that are born prematurely.

Most pregnancies last approximately 40 weeks.

Babies born between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation are considered full term.

Babies that are born before 37 weeks gestation are defined as premature.

1 in 10 babies are born prematurely in the in the U.S. each year.

A baby born at or before 23 weeks gestation typically will require extensive medical intervention including, respiratory support, invasive treatments, and a long and sometimes tough stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Over half of premature babies born between 23 and 24 weeks of pregnancy will survive delivery and live to see life outside of the NICU as long as they can have access to all necessary medical resources.

Medical expenses for a baby born prematurely average about $54,000,

compared with $4,000 for a healthy, full-term newborn.

The youngest preemie ever to survive was Amillia Taylor, who was born at only 21 weeks and 6 days gestation.
Premature babies born between 23 to 24 weeks gestation are called micro-preemies.

They weigh just over a pound and measure about 8 inches long from their head to their bottoms.

Although their eyes will most likely be fused shut, they'll have fully developed eyelashes and brows.

They will even have tiny fingernails.
That being said, most of the body's systems are underdeveloped at 23 to 24 weeks gestation.

The lower airways are only beginning to develop, which is why many 23-weekers and 24-weekers will

need respiratory support for long periods of time.
Babies at this age have fully formed hearing systems. While that means they can hear your voice, loud noises can be overstimulating and overwhelming to their underdeveloped nervous system.

A fetal heartbeat may first be detected by ultrasound as early as 5 1/2 to 6 weeks after gestation.

That's when a fetal pole, the first visible sign of a developing embryo, can sometimes be seen.

To learn more and to help support a baby in need visit

www.bravebeginnings.org

To support a local NICU in the Chattanooga, TN area visit

www.childrensaterlanger.org/childrens-hospital/our-services/specialized-services/child-life-wish-list

FATHERLESS CHILDREN

There is a father absence crisis in America.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.7 million children, more than 1 in 4, live without a father in the home. Consequently, there is a father factor in nearly all social ills facing America today.

We know that children and especially boys who grow up with absent fathers can suffer lasting damage. They are more likely to end up in poverty or drop out of school, become addicted to drugs, have a child out of wedlock, or end up in prison.

Countless studies have shown that fatherlessness has an extremely negative impact on daughters' self esteem. Her confidence in her own abilities and value as a human being can be greatly diminished if her father isn't there.

STATISTICS ON FATHERLESSNESS IN AMERICA AND THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF MENTORING

• 85% of youths in prison come from fatherless homes
• 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
• 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes
• Nearly 25 million children live without their biological father
• 60% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes

Now let's look at how we can combat these statistics thru MENTORING

Here is some information from www.Mentor.org these are statistics of at-risk youth who have had a mentor:
• 55% more likely to enroll in college
• 78% more likely to volunteer regularly
• 90% of them are interested in becoming a mentor themselves
• 130% more likely to hold leadership positions
• 46% less likely to use drugs
• 81% more likely to participate in sports or extracurricular activities
If mentors show up, are consistent, reliable, loving, encouraging, positive, and trustworthy, they WILL change lives.

For more information or to support an organization that helps the orhpan and fatherless children visit

www.cafo.org

ABUSED CHILDREN

Child abuse is a horrific experience with potentially lasting effects. It’s also, unfortunately, a common experience in America. Here’s a look at the scope of the problem.

Globally, it is estimated that nearly 1 billion children were abused last year

mentally, physically, sexually, or emotionally.

A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.

For crisis intervention, information, referrals, and support, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. For 24/7 crisis support at your fingertips, contact the Crisis Text Line by texting DS to 741741. Additional resources can be found at the bottom of this page.

It’s estimated that at least 1 in 7 children in the US has experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year.
Neglect is the most common form of child abuse, followed by physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse.
In 2018, about 16% of children who were abused experienced more than one kind of maltreatment.
Boys and girls experience similar rates of childhood abuse (48.6% and 51% respectively).
Rates of child abuse and neglect are 5 times higher for children in families with low socio-economic status compared to children in families with higher socio-economic status.
Children younger than one year old are the most vulnerable to maltreatment, accounting for almost half of child fatalities from abuse in 2018.
In 2018, 76% of child abuse perpetrators were a parent to their victim.
In 2018, 62% of children placed in foster care were removed from their homes due to abusive neglect, totaling over 160,000 children.
Children who experienced any form of violence in childhood have a 13% greater likelihood of not graduating from high school.
Adult survivors of childhood abuse are more likely to experience mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
Adult survivors of childhood abuse are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors like smoking, alcohol and drug use, and unsafe sex. They’re also more likely to report overall lower health than those who haven’t experienced childhood abuse.