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
Youth Perspective
Blog

By Laticia — Sep 11, 2018

I attribute my life and success to an important provision granting Medicaid to former foster youth (FFY) until they reach age 26. Maslow proposed that if basic physiological needs like air, water, sleep, and shelter aren’t met, it can be hard to... Read more

Tagged:
Health care
Youth Perspective
Blog

By joe18 — Sep 10, 2018

What is the epidemic of homelessness? Why does it seem it is affecting so many people? For me, it is as simple and as complicated as spending every last dollar only to bounce from couch to couch. Then, spending all my time and resources worrying... Read more

Tagged:
Homelessness
Housing
Jobs