DAYTON -- When Darren Staten was 6 years old, his mother was unable to care for him. When he was 7, his father struggled with substance abuse. These unfortunate circumstances brought Darren into the foster care system, and now as an adult he aspires to make the road easier for children who find themselves in similar circumstances.
Staten will speak at 2 p.m. today at the Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month Kickoff Event.
âI had the typical feelings of resentment and abandonment, and as a kid you feel like everything is your fault,â Staten said. âIâve moved past that, and now I am self-motivated and focused on positive things. You have got to make the best of what you have in front of you if what you want to do is turn your situation around. My foster mom was very supportive and gave me everything I needed. She pushed me to try to do great things.â
Darren reconnected with his mother 14 years after she left, and he now has an ongoing relationship with his father. Knowing that many cases do not turn out as well as his did, he has found his mission. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in social work. Now he is now employed with Montgomery County Children Services as a Family Support Worker, striving to prevent situations like the ones that challenged him.
The Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month Kickoff Event begins at 2 p.m. Monday at the Haines Children Center, 3304 N. Main Street, Dayton.
In addition to Staten, other speakers will include Deb Downing, Assistant Director for Montgomery County Children Services Division and Libby Nicholson, Director of CARE House.
Staten will speak at 2 p.m. today at the Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month Kickoff Event.
âI had the typical feelings of resentment and abandonment, and as a kid you feel like everything is your fault,â Staten said. âIâve moved past that, and now I am self-motivated and focused on positive things. You have got to make the best of what you have in front of you if what you want to do is turn your situation around. My foster mom was very supportive and gave me everything I needed. She pushed me to try to do great things.â
Darren reconnected with his mother 14 years after she left, and he now has an ongoing relationship with his father. Knowing that many cases do not turn out as well as his did, he has found his mission. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in social work. Now he is now employed with Montgomery County Children Services as a Family Support Worker, striving to prevent situations like the ones that challenged him.
The Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month Kickoff Event begins at 2 p.m. Monday at the Haines Children Center, 3304 N. Main Street, Dayton.
In addition to Staten, other speakers will include Deb Downing, Assistant Director for Montgomery County Children Services Division and Libby Nicholson, Director of CARE House.
