FosterClub Alum Turned Foster Parent Raises Money to Buy Teen the Quinceañera Dress of her Dreams
For the first month after Marisol* moved in with former FosterClub Lived Experience Leader Jenn Martinez-Pettet and her husband Michael, all Marisol watched were videos of quinceañeras, which are special milestones for teens of Latina or Hispanic descent to mark their transition into womanhood. Marisol’s 15th birthday was fast approaching, and she dreamed of her own elegant, festive celebration. There...
New Mexico’s first Native family court points to success keeping kids in tribal communities
Veronica Krupnick, a member of the Hopi Tribe who also has Navajo and Jemez Pueblo heritage, was six years old when she entered New Mexico’s child welfare system, ultimately severing her connections to her family, community and culture. “It felt like my whole world was completely different,” said Krupnick, now 26 and a program coordinator for foster youth advocacy with...
How Illinois DCFS And ILP Are Helping Young People During The COVID-19 Crisis
Independent Living Programs (ILPs) across the country are responding to increased requests for assistance from young people from foster care, according to a recent poll by FosterClub. In normal times ILPs help young people from foster care navigate the challenges of transitioning from foster care to adulthood. DFCS and ILPs in Illinois have developed mechanisms that have enabled them to...
Youth Voices During COVID
FosterClub has released a document titled "What Young People Who Aged Out of Foster Care Are Experiencing During the COVID-19 Crisis), containing quotes gathered through polls of young people across the country. The piece can be viewed at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MOYWQRd9Vwg9wphUr5ZDHeUrTfpkl6ml27UF86uyEKc/edit . .
My Two Dads Saved My Life
Before I met my two dads I found myself living the life of a chameleon and at times I still do, masking who I am, adapting and trying to fit in where I never thought I'd ever belong. When I was on the edge of ending it all together, my two dads saved my life. My fathers helped me discover...
Sonia's Story
Sonia Emerson 26 years old She/Her/Hers 16 years in Ohio's child welfare system. Sonia Emerson entered foster care at the age of two, she was removed from her biological mother due to neglect and abuse. At the age of 9, she was adopted. This was an opportunity for Sonia to have a permanent home, unfortunately, the adoption failed due to...