Childhood should be a time of joy. During those formative years, the exciting possibilities of adulthood should be unfolding as a wonderful vision on the horizon. For that to occur, young folks need a loving home where their development is a priority.

When youngsters lack that type of environment — even if that is just a temporary circumstance — they are put at an enormous disadvantage. All too often, the result can be a journey through childhood that does not afford the young person an adequate opportunity to thrive. To avoid that negative consequence, one of the options is placement in a temporary home with a caring family — foster care.

May is National Foster Care Month. A great many youngsters have a need for the help foster care can provide. In 2017, more than 440,000 young Americans benefited from the welcoming support a foster family can afford. Unfortunately, the need for foster homes is growing. During each of the last five years, more of our nation’s children have needed this type of assistance than did the year prior.

Early this month, U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley called attention to one of the reasons the need for foster care is growing — nationwide drug abuse crisis.

“Due to the opioid crisis and other substance abuse issues plaguing communities in Iowa and across the country, the number of kids in foster care is rapidly rising,” the Iowa Republican said.

In his proclamation making National Foster Care Month official, President Donald Trump set exactly the right vision for this celebratory and informational event.

“This month, we recognize that there are children in our towns and communities who may not have a family, or whose families may be experiencing great difficulty and hardship,” the president said. “In America, we believe in standing beside these children, walking with them through their trials, and finding permanent and safe families for each of them. … During National Foster Care Month, we honor these patriots, who open their hearts to children who need a home, and who care for the most vulnerable among us.”

This month is also a good time to salute the many individuals and organizations who help the foster care system work. Here in Iowa, the Department of Human Services has chosen two agencies — Four Oaks Foster and Adoptive Family Connections and Lutheran Services in Iowa — to manage its foster and adoptive children and families services. Four Oaks handles these programs in four of the five service areas and LSI in one of them. Four Oaks leads this important effort in Webster County.

“Children deserve stable family environments, and foster care provides a wonderful opportunity for selfless and compassionate men and women to nurture children while we work to ensure that they have a forever family,” Trump said in his proclamation.

The Messenger heartily agree. We urge area residents who have an interest in helping youngsters in difficult situations by becoming foster parents — or who wish to support this vital work in other ways — to learn more about how to do so. Nothing is more important to the long-term well-being of any community than cultivating future generations.