Tonight I watched several news stories, one after another, air about children in desperate situations. A middle school girl in California was raped by ten to twenty men after she attended a school dance. I saw a devastated mother crying for her young daughter who had been abducted and murdered, her body cast into a landfill. Locally, two junior high boys were intentionally run down by someone driving a car. And an eleven year old girl lost her long battle with cancer. This is not highlights of the worst news of the week; this was the evening news for today. When did the world become such a dangerous place for our children?

A few fast facts relevant to kids today:

Every 40 seconds a child goes missing.

Half of all female rape victims are under age 18.

Over 3 million children annually witness domestic violence.

1 in 8 American children goes to bed hungry.

Girls are getting pregnant as young as 10 and 11 years old

. How can we sleep with full bellies in our warm beds behind locked doors knowing there will be more children on tomorrows evening’s news?

“Any society that fails to protect its young will be destroyed by that generation when it comes of age”. Years ago I heard that quote and though I am unable to give proper credit, I firmly believe we are witnessing it come to fruition. We are watching a portion of the wounded generation rising up in their anger and fear. They are not sure of their value when society fails to protect them from hunger, abuses and child predators. They need to be reached and rescued, but how?

Some of the “at risk” kids are obvious – the ones who bully and display bad attitudes. Many of these kids are mimicking what is happening at home or think they are putting on a tough enough front that they themselves can avoid a bully’s radar. This kid acts out almost challenging you to prove who is in control. Secretly he is hoping to find a grown up who can’t be bullied and won’t give up on him. You have an opportunity to reach this child simply by taking the time to be clear on what is and isn’t ok around you. He will want to be around you just because you care enough to maintain a standard. And, yes, one grown up can be enough to save this child.

Another “at risk” child is the young girl trying to look and act like she’s twenty five. Chances are she is insecure, has low self esteem and is vulnerable to and encourages the advances of men or boys without knowing why. A young girl who does not have a strong relationship with a father or father figure looks for validation from the opposite sex. In an effort to fill the void and feel special, she may well become pregnant even before she graduates high school or junior high. Befriending her and sharing wisdom can change her life. It may not be easy to reach her, but I am sure she is worth it.

Then there is the young boy who is wearing the same shabby winter coat even when he has outgrown it. He may show up around dinner time often. He probably is a happy go lucky kid and somewhat shy otherwise. Whether there are one or two parents in the home, they probably live far below the poverty level. He could sure use a break before he gets teased mercilessly or is hungry enough to steal. The gift of a coat or a pair of shoes can help this kid through a rough spot. And he will never forget the gift or how it made him feel. Another one can be saved.

   They aren’t invisible though many of these kids believe they are. You can also intervene on behalf of a child at risk by befriending the parent or parents. Plenty of good parents have made crucial mistakes when they are overwhelmed and isolated. It used to take a small village to raise a child, a community effort to protect and train up the young. Surely we can do it again.

   Each of us are in a position to offer a coat, or spare some time mentoring, while others are able to come alongside helping parents. If we can become a village for the sake of our children, we can change the world. Each one can reach one. And then we will have changed the course of the coming generation, and the focus of the evening’s news.