: Hi,

I hope I am emailing the correct place. I am writing about the show Down Gilead Lane. I heard tonight\'s show on WCSG 91.3 FM (11-4-07 Sunday). I am an avid listener of WCSG, but honestly had never really listened to The Pond or Down Gilead Lane before (I usually let my stereo "cool off" during that time, from listening to WCSG so much! :))

Anyway, the real reason I am writing is because of the Down Gilead Lane program tonight. I was really struck that you included a foster child in your program. I wanted to thank you for that. And, not only did you include a foster child, but you included the child in a positive light and even gave a little glimpse into her world. And I liked the fact that she seemed to be a little older foster child, too. That is wonderful; and meaningful to me. I wish more shows/media would talk about foster care (and adoption for that matter).

I was in a foster home for a while when I was younger (older than 14 yrs. I'll just say). My mom had serious mental health issues and I think must've felt overwhelmed and that's where I ended up for a while. (I wasn\'t a "problem" child, so to speak. My mom's problems got worse and the foster care was commenced. And in looking back, it was definitely safest for me at the time).

Anyway, I say that to say that some kids in foster homes face a lot of challenges and a lot of hurt and pain and stigma. Therefore, it was a delight to see that your show portrayed foster care in a positive light.

While not all foster homes are good, at least they are a place for a child to stay and not be on the street (which would be worse). Anything that can be done to positively promote foster homes and particularly to a Christian audience who might be a better foster home (ethics wise) than some, perhaps, is great.

I feel like I am not saying *any* of this right, but I just want to say, I guess, thank you for promoting foster care, and for putting it "in front of" an audience that is probably more Christian than not, because more and more BETTER foster homes are needed. And, as odds go, Christian homes, I'm guessing, would be possibly better than non-Christians; at least ethics wise; I would like to think. And maybe, just maybe, things like your show may plant a seed for some couple/family to consider becoming a foster family to an abused child who really needs it. And if there were more Christian foster homes, that would be even better, I think.

I still don't feel like I am saying all this very well, so forgive me; but I hope I am getting across a general idea here. :) By the way, the quality of the show is first rate and I enjoyed listening to it as an adult, just as much as a kid probably would! :) It was a very professional production with quality actors and things that really made it a step above.

Thanks again for including a foster child in your program; and in such a positive light, too.

Sincerely,

Karen