I have been posting comments on several sites having to do with foster care, and responding to both kids in care, those formerly in care, and those who are supporting them. I have found many interesting things, one of which is that people are really pushing to change the whole foster care system for the benefit of the children coming into care. The other very promising thing is the number of kids currently in care that are participating in the change by letting the rest of us know exactly what it is that they need.

They are not sitting back and hoping for the best, nor are they feeling sorry for themselves, but they are taking the initiative and doing something to help improve their situations. This is a wonderful thing, and they need to have all of our support. If you have some spare time, check into programs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters, CASA, after-school tutoring programs, national mentoring programs like the United Way 2-1-1 program, or your local Boys and Girls Club, and get out there and volunteer.

Even if you just get involved in online sites like Fosterclub and FYI3, and let these kids know that there are people out there who may not be able to offer them an adoptive home, but that they can still be there for them.
One of the major things that older kids say they want is just someone to listen to them. You don't have to solve any of their problems, but let them know that they are heard and their feelings matter.

I know, you're thinking that this is somebody else's job, but when a foster parent has six or seven kids in their home, the individual attention is pretty sparse. And there are certainly not enough CASAs to go around. There are lots of other programs out there that I haven't mentioned. Just do a search on Yahoo or Google for volunteer or mentoring programs and find something in your area. The kids will thank you, and I thank you too.