Rayla J. Brevard County, Florida Growing up in foster care, no one prepares you for the multitude of challenges you will face. Foster youth are susceptible to navigating challenges like abrupt placement transitions, losing contact with friends and family, and being constantly
Celeste G. Little Rock, AR Proverbs 11:14: "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (ESV). When you spend most of your childhood in the Bible Belt as I did, it's not unusual to
Michael F. Chatsworth, Georgia Can you imagine feeling lost or alone with no one to guide or support you in your life? For youth in foster care, this is often their reality — one that can be changed by having supportive adults,
Starz S. Ohio In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget what truly matters — human connection. The people we surround ourselves with play a crucial role in shaping our lives and influencing our decisions.
Mariah H. Raleigh, North Carolina Have you ever witnessed anyone successfully Double Dutch on their own? Many of you reading this would probably say no, because to Double Dutch, you have to have support from people and trust that they will turn
Lexi B. St. Paul, Minnesota Fosters: youth who have entered the foster care system or out-of-placement care before the age of 18. Going into the foster care system at the age of 15 was a unique experience, to say the least. Like many
Carlos J. Charlotte, NC Supportive adults play a critical role in the development and well-being of young people by offering guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. These individuals can include parents and guardians, teachers and coaches, mentors and role models, and other
Tee M. New York Why? Why me? Why now? These were the questions that echoed in my mind, day in and day out, as I faced the harsh realities of life. As a teenager who had left the foster care system to
Growing up is a challenging journey for any young person, but the path can be even more arduous for those in foster care. Despite our nation’s value on independence, research and experience indicate that the expectation of self-sufficiency for young
“Being in foster care felt like being incarcerated,” shared a young person with lived experience. Incarceration, the act of confining a person, is used for retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation. Youth in foster care have not committed a crime so