In Colorado, an astounding 3,448 kids need homes. These are real kids, caught in difficult circumstances and are in the foster care system through no fault of their own.

Children enter foster care for reasons beyond their control - often because of abuse, neglect, or the ripple effects of addiction, incarceration, or untreated mental health conditions in their homes. Some have lost a parent or guardian and suddenly must navigate a world that feels uncertain and overwhelming.

They deserve to be seen for who they are, not defined by what they've survived. This holiday season, and every season, let's make sure every young person knows they belong somewhere - and with someone - who believes in them.

And anyone reading this can be that person. Start by learning about Colorado's foster care system. Volunteer with organizations that connect with youth. Advocate for policies that uplift kids and families. Even greater, consider becoming a foster parent and/or an adoptive parent.

Perceptions may deter you, but the reality is that opening your home and your heart to one of the 3,448 children waiting for a home can truly change that young person's life. Being their one caring adult can change everything.

These children are not bad. They are not unlovable. The stereotypes surrounding foster youth are not only inaccurate - they're harmful.

We adore babies. We smile at them in grocery store lines and ask about their first words and steps, seeing them as full of potential. But somewhere along the way, especially for kids in foster care, that perception shifts. Instead of being seen as full of promise, they're too often viewed as problems.

When kids hear, directly or indirectly, that they're "damaged" or "difficult," those words can take root, chipping away at their sense of self-worth. But when someone steps in - a teacher, a neighbor, a mentor - and sees them for who they are, those harmful narratives can start to unravel. We can choose to see youth not by what they've endured, but by the futures they're capable of building.

Every child needs someone who believes in them. Someone who shows up, offers encouragement, and provides a sense of safety and belonging. Foster youth are no different. Their dreams are just as big, their potential just as real.

I've seen how simple, consistent support can change a young person's trajectory. One teenager I work with was hesitant to apply to college because she struggled in high school and didn't believe she could succeed. She mentioned interest in her local community college, so we researched it together, looked at programs, and contacted the school to get her questions answered. She applied, was accepted, and now attends college. Without that encouragement, she might never have taken that step forward.

Another misconception is that teenagers in foster care don't want families. In my experience, when these young people feel safe enough to share their thoughts, the overwhelming sentiment is that they long for someone on their side. I currently work with a teen who has been in several foster homes and dreams of a forever home where she can share meals, laugh at silly jokes, and be surrounded by people who truly want her there. She doesn't need perfect parents - just someone who genuinely cares.

We must remember that foster care is meant to be a temporary solution - a safe space during times of crisis. Real healing happens through permanent, supportive relationships, whether through adoption, reunification with family, or lasting connections with caring adults. My role isn't just to help identify supportive adults, but to be one of those steady, reliable people in a young person's corner while they navigate so much change. Those relationships, even small ones, can be turning points.

At Raise the Future, we help kids build genuine connections every day. This is not work that one person or organization can do alone - it takes a community. It takes mentors who invest their time, employers who offer that first opportunity, and neighbors who welcome kids without judgment.

I invite you to join me in being an adult who stands up and shows up for these children. They deserve that from us. They deserve to be known not by their past, but by the bright futures they dream of and are working to build.

As the holidays approach, I'm reminded that every child deserves a place to feel safe and cared for - a home where someone asks how their day was, saves them a seat at the table, and believes in their future.

Foster youth are no exception. This season and beyond, let's make sure every young person in Colorado knows they belong - and that someone believes in them.

To learn more about Raise the Future, visit www.raisethefuture.org. To meet children currently waiting for adoption, visit www.raisethefuture.org/waiting-children.

Laura Rivera is a youth connections advocate with Raise the Future, a national nonprofit that connects youth in foster care with permanent, supportive families. She lives in Denver.

Get past the harmful stigmas and step up for Colorado's 3,448 children in foster care (Opinion)