Description
Throughout history Gargoyles have been used to help protect the sacred. The
Gargoyle Project is a group of dedicated volunteers who work closely with existing institutions
to provide long term support and mentoring to the sacred children in the foster care system.
During the course of their care these kids may be moved from one institution to another. The
exceptional professionals who treat the kids are employed by counties or individual
institutions can't always accompany them. This gap can have a profound negative effect on
these already vulnerable kids. The system treats neglect, abuse and behavioral problems but
it can't make a child feel like it's part of a caring extended family.
When we're contacted about a potential
client we interview the child's support staff. If everyone agrees that this is an appropriate
program we assign a group of 3-4 volunteers who will stay with that child as long as they're
needed. They provide mentoring, counseling, some fun, and most importantly a sense of
caring continuity. Every team insures the child is seen at least once a month and convinces
them that we are here to stay. The group concept allows for a family type of support and
enables us to share the burden of longer term support.
The Gargoyle Project services any at risk child, regardless of ethnicity or background.
We may offer schoolwork help and encourage the child's interests but our main focus is to
provide a more general sort of nurturing.
