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20BODYOFCHRISTNEWSFEBRUARY2013Aswereflectupontheamazingcontribu-tionsAfrican-Americanshavemadetoourcoun-tryitoccurstomethateachofthoseindividualshastheirownhistorythestoryofhowtheycametomaketheseincrediblecontributions.WorkinginChildWelfareIusu-allythinkaboutwhatapersonschildhoodwaslikeandwhatsupporttheymayhavehadornothadthatinfluencedtheirabilitytoflourish.AndastheAdoptionLiaisonfortheAfricanAmericancom-munityIamalwayswonderingwhatcouldbeforthechildreninourcaretheoneswhoareawaitingafamilyandhometocalltheirown.ThetruthisIdonthavetowonderBlackHistoryMonthoffersallofustheopportunitytoseethefutureofachildwhoneedsahome.BoDiddleyisnotjustanincrediblerhythmandbluesmusicianherepresentsthefutureofaboywhomightbeadoptedbyacousinwhenhisparentsareunabletocareforhim.MalcolmXisnotjustaleg-endarycivilrightsactivistherepresentsthefutureofayouthwhoseparentsmayhavediedorbeeninstitutionalizedandliveswithfriendsandfamily.EddieMurphyisnotjustahilariouscomedianherepresentsaboywhospendsayearinfostercarewhilehismotherissickandthereisnofamilyavail-abletohelp.InDenverwehavesixAfrican-Americanchildrenwaitingforanadoptivehomerightnow.Aswesearchforfamiliesthatwillallowthesechildrentogrowandthriveintothenextgenerationofleadersforourcountrywewillhavetoletourrichandwonderfulhistoryinspireourvisionofwhatcouldbeforachildinneed.AngelaBeckleyisanAdoptionLiaisonforDenverHumanServicesChildWelfarespecializinginAfrican-Americanrecruitment.Formoreinfo.onbecomingafosteroradoptiveparentpleasecall720-944-4000ore-mailangela.beckleydenvergov.org.StandUpforMeAngelaBeckleyByAngelaBeckley