The Girl in the Window

You can't win as a social worker in child welfare. You're always doing too much or not enough. That said, this story of Dani had truly horrible origins but has worked out for the best.

When the child was found by police,"The mother's statement was: 'I'm doing the best I can,' " the detective said. "I told her, 'The best you can sucks!' "

"In my entire career with the child welfare system, I don't ever remember a child like Danielle," said Luanne Panacek, executive director of the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. "It makes you think about what does quality of life mean? What's the best we can hope for her? After all she's been through, is it just being safe?"
That fall, Panacek decided to include Danielle in the Heart Gallery — a set of portraits depicting children available for adoption. The Children's Board displays the pictures in malls and on the Internet in hopes that people will fall in love with the children and take them home.

Dani's adoptive parents said, "So what if Danielle is not everything we hoped for? Bernie and Diane answered. You can't pre-order your own kids. You take what God gives you."

This story should move you to action--to always report any suspicions of child abuse; to become a foster parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian for a child in need; to rally those around you in your work, church, family and friends to do something in the name of a child. What can I do? Plenty. Foster, mentor, donate your services. Start clicking!