A rapper from the group Run DMC is giving his time to foster and adopted children in New Jersey.

An adopted child himself, Darryl ?DMC? McDaniels has signed on to represent Children?s Aid and Family Services of Paramus, an organization that supports foster and adopted children. McDaniels says the experience helps him truly connect with kids. ?For me, I was fortunate to be adopted,? he says. ?But my role for these kids is to represent them and let them not feel alone.?

As the organization?s spokesman, McDaniels believes he can give a voice to children who need the encouragement. ?I tell them, ?You can do anything that you wanna do, don?t let your situation define you,?? he says.

McDaniels believes his fame can help get the message out. He says rap helps him send the message straight to the children. McDaniels once did a song with musician Sarah Mclaughlin about his journey through the adoption process?a song that made Wafiq, a child at the organization, feel good.

For McDaniels, children like Wafiq are what make his time feel well-spent.

For additional footage of McDaniels discussing adoption, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.