Ne-Yo bringing awareness to foster care system

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP) - When he was younger, Ne-Yo watched from afar as his friends hugged their fathers - and he wondered where his dad might be.

"A lot of aggravation was inside me," the 28-year-old singer-songwriter told The Associated Press. "Dad stuck around for a minute and decided it wasn't for him. But I credit my mom for being so positive, putting the pen in my hand.

"It's single women like her who don't get enough recognition."

Now Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer C. Smith, is honoring moms like his own.

On Sunday, he'll host a brunch for 50 single and foster mothers from the metro Atlanta area to raise awareness of the need for reform of the foster care system in the United States.

"They need something special," he said. "So with the success I've been given, through the blessings I have, how could I not use it for good? This is a way to help people who deserve it - for both the mothers and children."

He will perform, and licensed child care workers are expected to provide activities for children between the ages of 1 and 10 in rooms separate from the event.

"My efforts are minor for what should be done," he told The Associated Press. "We're in a day and age where people care about themselves and no one else. That's the outlook a lot of people have. But it is everybody's responsibility to make sure that our future, which is these kids, are brought up the right way."

When Ne-Yo told his mother about the event, she broke into tears.

"I got a little emotional because trying to help children is a passion of mine," said Loraine Smith, 45. She helped maintain a household that included Ne-Yo, his grandmother, sister and five aunts while on welfare for a short stint.

"This is the best thing so far he has done to give back to the community," she said.

Ne-Yo won a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album for "Because of You."