President‑Elect Chris Hempfling introduced LaShay Wilson, Executive Director of StepStone Family Youth Services, for a thoughtful presentation on the realities children face when they enter foster care.

To help members understand a child’s experience, LaShay opened with a dramatic demonstration of what it can feel like when an unfamiliar adult suddenly appears and says a child must leave home. An unknown man stepped into the meeting room, said he was from Child Protective Services, and asked incoming Public Image Director CJ Stewart to step out. The exercise emphasized the fear, confusion, and loss of control that often mark a child’s first encounter with the system.

LaShay stressed that children are not placed in foster care because they are “bad,” but because adults have failed them. She described the emotional and behavioral responses children may show on arrival — anger, withdrawal, fear, sleep problems, and difficulty trusting — and urged foster parents and agencies to respond with patience and trauma‑informed care. StepStone provides trauma assessments and therapy when needed, with the goal of seeing children not as problems to be managed but as young people in need of understanding and healing.

LaShay outlined StepStone’s scope of work in Georgia: the organization serves approximately 117 children across five offices, ranging from infants to teenagers. In Georgia the current caseload includes roughly 33 children ages birth to five, 47 children ages six to twelve, and 37 teenagers. Nationally, StepStone serves approximately 1,200 to 1,300 children each day. She said StepStone works to keep sibling groups together whenever possible while acknowledging temporary separation may be necessary in cases involving severe trauma, domestic violence, or behavioral needs.

Members asked about agency roles and adoption pathways. LaShay explained that StepStone is a licensed child placing agency that does not remove children from their homes; removals are the responsibility of DFACS. StepStone becomes involved when DFACS needs a placement outside its own homes. She also shared that StepStone Georgia completed approximately 14 adoptions over the past year, and emphasized that timely action by courts, agencies, and legislators is essential so children do not languish in care.

A major theme of the discussion was the strain on foster families. In response to a question from Mr. Eric John, LaShay said foster parents are leaving the system because they often lack the support needed to care for children with serious trauma‑related needs. Delays in authorizations for medication, therapy, behavioral aides, and medical appointments place both children and foster parents in difficult positions. In some cases, StepStone has absorbed costs directly to avoid harmful delays. LaShay called for stronger partnership from DFACS, better funding for services, and earlier intervention with families before removal becomes necessary.

The meeting included an update from visitor Mr. Michael Davis on the Atlanta BeltLine, covering trail completion plans, West Side park development, and growth in anti‑displacement efforts.

Members were reminded of upcoming club activities: Atlanta Streets Alive; the June 5 program with Mr. Brandon Teal of the YMCA; the June 12 visit to Our Lady of Perpetual Help; no meeting on June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday; and the June 26 installation ceremony at Atlanta Technical College.

LaShay’s presentation concluded with a direct call to service. Members interested in helping can donate luggage so that no child in StepStone’s care has to leave with belongings in a trash bag. She also urged attention to SR 622 and upcoming legislative hearings on foster care reform. In the spirit of Rotary, the program reminded members that service begins with seeing the dignity of those who are too often unseen — especially children whose lives depend on adults choosing compassion, persistence, and action.