Youth Perspective
Blog

By BrandiRose — Aug 24, 2019

The most important thing in my life is my family. I spent over 2 years in care before being adopted two weeks before my 18th birthday. The whole time I was in care felt like a honeymoon. After the adoption, the relationship between my parents and I... Read more

Tagged:
Family relationships
Youth Perspective
Blog

By Stormy19 — Aug 15, 2019

An Educated Warrior In the middle of my 2019, I’m adorned in blue and white, standing in front of thousands of people staring straight at me. I take it all in with tears dotting my eyes and a smile as wide as you would have ever seen completing my... Read more

Tagged:
Education
Youth Perspective
Blog

By Zae15 — May 14, 2019

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... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Youth Perspective
Blog

By Zae15 — May 14, 2019

Patrick Gem Gabbett 20 years old He/Him/His & They/Them/Theirs 3 years in California's child welfare system. Patrick entered care at the age of 17 after escaping his abusive... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Youth Perspective
Blog

By Zae15 — May 14, 2019

Christian Carter 19 years old He/Him/His & They/Them/Theirs 5 years in Pennsylvania's child welfare system. Christian Carter entered care at the age of 13. He was asked to... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Youth Perspective
Blog

By shannonsymonds — Feb 22, 2019

We asked youth to share how they stay connected with family (including parents & siblings), and why staying connected is important to them. Check out what they had to say, and learn why family connections matter. Interested in contributing your... Read more

Tagged:
Permanence
Youth Perspective
Blog

By APetite1 — Dec 9, 2018

Tristan knows the power of sharing your story. As a young trans man, he spent nine months in the foster care system and faced many adverse experiences because of his identity. As a FosterClub Young Leader and a strong advocate for LGBTQ... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Youth Perspective
Blog

By Celeste — Dec 7, 2018

Timothy, a student and case worker in Knoxville Tennessee, is a FosterClub young leader and foster care alumni who shares his story to advocate for life-changing policies to support LGBTQ foster youth. Timothy bravely shared his story with our... Read more

Youth Perspective
Blog

By ashleyatfosterclub — Oct 9, 2018

Kodi Baughman The importance of connection For me, it was really important to stay connected to my mom. My dad was incarcerated and out of the picture early on, so the only parent I was able to form a close bond with was my mom. My... Read more

Tagged:
Family relationships
Well-being
Youth Perspective
Blog

By guzman.aleea — Sep 11, 2018

Education is very important to me in order to move ahead in life. Not just get by, but to really succeed. My senior year I had to apply for colleges and make sure I was going to graduate. When it came down to clearance, I went to all my classes to... Read more

Tagged:
Education