May, as we all know, is Foster Care Month.  A time to celebrate ALL the foster care heroes.  We asked our students to tell us who they would call a hero, and we got hundreds of responses – far too many to post on a blog!  It was very hard, but we chose a representative handful.  Enjoy them – and be deeply moved by the love and appreciation shown by our students for these wonderful people.  The photographs were also sent in by our students of their loved ones, but they do NOT correspond with the quotes.

I wouldn’t have gone back to school if it wasn’t for Miho. She really gave me a boost. Money helps, but cheerleaders, mentors and well wishers, these are the reasons that keep me going. I have someone who believes in me and is patient. I hope to invite her to my graduation someday.  - Diann

Ms. Jackson is the director of the Lubbock Transition Center. I met her when I was about 15-16 years old when she taught the PAL (preparation for adult living) class in my area. I’ve kept in touch with her for the last 11-12 years. She’s a wonderful advocate for foster youth. She does whatever she can for us even it means offering her own home in time of need. She’s a mother figure for us and for some of us…she’s the only person that can be relied on. We all love her.  – Karla

My high school English teacher Ms. Mulvihill is special to me because she showed me that she really cares about her students. At first I did not think anything of her but as the year went on we began to grow close. I was being placed with different families in different parts of my state and I would have to go to different schools. My junior year at a new school, Ms. Mulvihill noticed that I was missing school a lot because of court dates and she told me that she would go to court with me and convince the judge to let me stay in the same school until I graduated. I ended up not moving again after that court hearing and I now look at her as my mom. She has done so much for me in the 4 years that I have known her for and I have the utmost respect for her. – Devon

My special person whom I’ve met from being in foster care would be Kelly, my foster mom for about six years all together. She is a blessing to me because I didn’t just get dropped off at her house and learn to deal with it, she actually got her foster care license because she had wanted to love me in her home. I’m very thankful I met her through foster care because she cares so much for me, and is very helpful-like a real mother. – Jess

Sheri has been my foster mom for about seven years and she has been my side through the hardest times in my life. She is my best friend, mentor, and mother. Every day I thank my lucky stars she’s a part of my life because I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without her guidance and love. – Amar

My hero is named Nancy. She was a counselor at my high school. After my parents died, I bounced from house to house and was homeless for a period. One day, Nancy found out about me, bought me lunch, and said, “enough of this, you’re coming to live with me.” I lived with her family up until graduation. She got me into some much-needed tutoring to fix my grades and helped me apply to college. I definitely would not have been able to finish high school without her guidance and support. – Carly

Many people have made a difference in my life, but none as much as my CASA, Amy. As a broken teenager, she took me up under her wing as a daughter, nurtured me, spoiled me, built confidence within me, and then did everything in her power to help me during my transition and my life in college. My heart now takes her as a loving mother, whom I treasure oh so much. – Jahzeel

Eva is my ex-case worker and I continue to stay in contact with her. She has strongly impacted my life in a positive way and I know I am who I am today because I know her. She is an amazing example of a strong unique independent women and I love her with all my heart! – Regina

My hero is my guardian, Pop.  He is special because when everyone gave up on me including myself, he didn’t.  School, especially math, is hard for me even with tutoring and extra help.  He believes in me and keeps me motivated to try and meet this challenge and all the things I deal with as a college student.  He is special. – Tony

My older sister Caroline is also my best friend. She is so special to me because she is the prime example of the type of person I am striving to become in life. She is optimistic, affable, strong, intelligent, and a great role model. When I was put into foster care as a teenager Caroline was the one person that never stopped believing in me. It’s because of Caroline that I never gave up on my goals and I love her so much for that. – Philip

Jim is a person who came to me through foster care. I was introduced to him at a party I went to with my foster mom.  Somebody told the hostess that I played the piano.  I had taught myself how to play when I was young and still living with my biological mother.  I was introduced to Jim, who is a piano instructor. He had me play what I knew. I played for him Mozart’s Turkish March and he was very impressed. He was so moved by my talent, and the background I had, that he offered to give me free piano lessons once a week. From then on, and throughout high school I went to his house for an hour’s lesson after school every Tuesday. He and his wife welcomed me to their home with open arms. I began to see Jim as a mentor and went to him about advice. I have known Jim for 11 years now and having recently moved to San Francisco I don’t get to see him as often, but we still manage to stay in touch.  – Domingo

The women in my Independent Living Program were absolutely fantastic-always ready and willing to listen, attentive to learning who I truly was, and they were sincerely loving and concerned with my well-being.  – Ivory

One of the most special people in my life I would have to say is my foster mother. She is always there for me; no matter what I m going through she is always there to help, or just listen. She has helped me get to where I am now, and for that she will always have a special place in my heart. She has a big heart, and is always willing to help those in need, and one day I hope to be as kind and as patient as she is. – Filomena

My grandma is that special person that has always been there. No, she didn’t have money nor could she give me lavish gifts, but she always showed me unconditional love. Before I became an orphan, my grandma was always very loving and protective over me. We were separated for a while; however, once I reconnected with her, the love she gave me was still the same. She always told me that my parents were proud of me and that I had God-given strength. From as far back as I can remember (3 to 4 years-old), my grandma used to always tell me that I was her best friend. To this day, she still says the I’m her best friend. I know that no matter where I am in life, I’ll always have at least one person in my corner, my grandma.  – Jerome

Rosa is the mother of a good friend I had as a freshman in high school. She was willing to initially support me and later completely willing to take me in after my mother died. Her relentless support of my ambitions has revealed how selflessly benevolent individuals can be. – Michael

My hero is one of my old teachers, Mrs. Hunwick. The reason why she is so special to me is because of the way she goes above and beyond to help a child. She would take me out to eat and to Barnes & Noble to get books, once a month. This was huge for me because she wouldn’t let me pay for anything….for the life of me I could not figure out why she wanted to waste her time and money on me. Those visits were very special to me though because it gave me something to look forward to every month. It also enabled me to increase my reading and writing skills because of all the books she bought me.  Books became an escape for me during my foster care years. But the story doesn’t end there…I was told by my case worker that I would remain in the foster care system until I graduated high school. My caseworker was wrong….suddenly I aged out and government stopped paying for my care, and I had nowhere to live except for my car with three months of high school left. When Mrs. Hunwick found out she asked me to move in with her for those three months, which enabled me to be the first in my biological family to graduate high school and go to college. The part that impacted me the most was that she did not charge me anything, and would not let me pay for anything while I stayed there. She got no compensation for me what so ever, but she still cared enough to take me in during my last three months of high school. Those three months were the closest thing I ever had to a true home. I will forever be grateful. – Sara

Being adopted allowed my grandfather, Leon, to become part of my life. Having a single mother, he was my only father figure. He taught me everything from how to mow a lawn, to basic math, and everything in between. While we may not have gotten along at certain points, his love for me was unconditional- a characteristic I will never forget. – Robert (and the same was said by his brother, Michael)

When I was placed into foster care my siblings and I were placed into different homes. The social workers were unable to find a house that was able to accommodate my 4 siblings and me until Limbania and Carolina opened up their home to us and reunited my family. There have been a lot of rough time and struggles but I am glad they have come into my life. Thanks to their love and support, my family is a strong as ever.  – Jeffrey

My hero is my 12th grade bus driver.  I was always the last student, waiting to go home.  I was so excited to tell her news about my acceptances to colleges, and my dreams to be a fashion designer, and then how one day I’d like to end up on TV.  She’d always say I’d get there, and how she couldn’t wait to see me “doing my thang.”  She was the first person to ever tell me that.  Every time I want to give up, I just remember her and her uplifting words.  Living my dream is bigger than just ME now.  My dream now is to find  a way to create art to give back to those who believed in me.  – Terrel

No single person has affected my life positively as much as my grandmother.  I consider myself very lucky to be in contact with any of my biological family, as it is a short list, and I barely have managed to keep connections with my prior foster family.  My grandmother was my mother’s mother.  It took a very brave woman to stand up even when her daughter was considered unfit as a mom, and not protect her own past parenting, or her shining offspring, but the safety of a child.   ***   Even today, as she battles stage four cancer she still calls every week to make sure we both know the other is alive and breathing.  Somehow, we laugh about it all, the slight insanity and misfortunes that have been bestowed upon our lives, but somehow failed to ruin us, and we value the truth as commonplace.   ***   We bonded in the crux of it all.  Even better is that together we have become people that truly understand that love can be unconditional. – Acadia

My biggest influencers were my godparents, Inge and Werner. They have been there since birth and have always taken their jobs seriously as godparents. Although I have been with five families they were my constant which I think was the key to my sanity. – Joshua

My special person is Regina. I met her through the Foster Care to Success mentoring program seven years ago, and we still email regularly. She is a dear friend. She has always been there to support me, and she’s someone to talk to when I don’t have anyone else. She sends me gifts every holiday, which I appreciate most especially because my parents aren’t around to do that anymore. When the holidays come, and I’m missing my parents, getting Regina’s packages in the mail makes me feel better. She is just a kind, wonderful person. I’m grateful to have her as a friend.  - Jessica

The people who are special to me would be my parents and not society’s perspective of parents, but the ones who raised me. They were my second foster parents. They are special to me because when I felt like no one loved me and no one could, they showed me there was still hope. They have shown me compassion and continue to be there for me even years later into my adulthood. They didn’t give birth to me, but they have done so much more for me then the lady who did. – Talisa

I think about my CASAs. Both were very influential in giving me the support I needed to help me get where I am. They were both supportive and were always there when I needed them, and I am truly grateful for them. Even now I still continue to see them and keep in touch with them. I am very proud to have them be part of my life. They are always kinds, sweet, gentle, and most of all very loving.  - Alejandra

I could write novels on how much my brothers mean to me, and how they have always been my rock. I would do anything for them, without a thought. They have gone through so much in their short lives, and have never even thought to blame their past for anything that happens in their life. To me they are the image of innocence, purity, love, and strength. I would not be where I am without them, and there is no one in the world I could ever love more. In fact it is very hard for me to every just sit and think about my brothers without crying. They are my heroes. – Kassi

When I was first placed into foster care, I lived in the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home. My house parents, Ms. June and Mr. Woody, were amazing and I still keep in touch with them today. I am so blessed to have had these two as my house parents and one day I would love for Mr. Woody to walk me down the aisle. - Michaela

I have two special people in my life who go hand in hand (literally) – my foster parents Kihei and Mapuana. Before I came to live with them, I didn’t know what it was like to have a family. I didn’t know that family meant that there are people you can actually count on, people that even in the peak of their anger, still make sure to tell you that they love you. Before them, I didn’t know that love was anything but conditional. I thought love had rules and conditions. But with them, no matter how badly I mess up and upset them, they’re still going to stand there with me and we’ll weather the storm together. – Britny

Mrs. Bajc was my respite mom.  I went to respite often because my behavior was not the best.  I was what they called a “problem” child, but Mrs. Bajc saw right through that.  She was the first woman who told me that she saw something in me.  I will never forget when she told me “You have potential girl, you can be whatever you want to be and I believe in you.”  Mrs. Bajc was the first woman who actually believed in me and got me to believe in myself. -  Melanie

I really would credit Hillsides Home for Children (Episcopal Church) in L.A. for helping keep my life moving in a positive direction. I was court-ordered to go to therapy there, ended up going on a backpacking trip where I met my future wife, and received really good support there from a therapist, Tom. I also learned about the independent learning program, and probably through that program, about OFA (Foster Care to Success) which has obviously been the greatest support I have received of all! – Richard

I could not have done all that I have without my parents Jane and Michael. At first they were my foster parents, but when I was 16 they adopted me. They supported me in everything that I wanted to do no matter how crazy or odd, including running in the Spartan Race and starting and running both my high school and my college quidditch teams. They would do any favor for me and take care of anything that caused me to worry when they could. Doing that allowed me to develop into the person I am today by being able to focus on what was important. For that I will be forever thankful and I am proud to say they are my parents and some of my greatest friends. – Lauren

We celebrate ALL of our foster care heroes – today, during the month of May, and always.  Thank you!

Morgan and Michelle are part of the Foster Care to  Success Academic Success Coaching Program.  The boundaries of this program state that meetings in person are not permitted; however, occasionally an exception is made for coaches and students with a longstanding relationship.  Here is Morgan’s story of meeting her coach, Michelle, for the first time in February 2013.

Michelle and I had known each other for three years before meeting in person.  Thanks to Foster Care to Success, she was my mentor/coach.  Over the course of the three years, I would tell Michelle my struggles, before I would even tell my mom.  I guess in many ways, she is the mom I never really felt I had even with being adopted.  I like that Michelle has always been my rock in the storm.  I could always count on her to give me sound advice that allowed me to become the person I am today.

Finally, after three years of knowing each other through phone calls, texts, and Facebook, we made plans to meet on February 18.  I flew from Pittsburgh to Sarasota, Florida.  I was more nervous about the plane ride -I felt that I knew Michelle well and that I was safe.  We met outside the airport and my first thought was, “She is a lot taller than I realized.” We spent four days together talking and exploring Sarasota.

Monday, we went shopping at Whole Foods and I got to try some new vegetarian meats that I had never even known existed.  We went back to her house and I got to play with Mango.  He is absolutely the most precious dog in the world.  We did a few more odds and ends throughout the day.  We ended the day watching TV.  We also found out that we both enjoyed watching all of the same shows.

Tuesday, we went to one of the Keys and explored the shops.  I found that Sarasota was very tropical and beautiful.  We ate lunch at a nice restaurant.  We then went to the Mote Laboratory Aquarium.  I convinced Michelle that she needed a membership pass.  I will admit, I was pretty proud of that.  I know from experience that having a pass allowed my husband Berquin and I to go to the zoo more times than either of us can remember.  At the Aquarium, Michelle and I saw one of the best sea lion shows that I had ever seen.  I also got to see a dolphin, my first ever.  One of my favorite parts of Mote was the fact that they had some preserved animals rather than plastic or fake animals.  I saw a giant squid for the first time, and I was terrified.  I added it to the list of things I never wanted to see in the wild! My absolute favorite part was to finally see a manatee.  They are indigenous to the Florida coast. The gift shop there was great.  We got tee shirts and a snow globe.  The snow globe is of manatees and is now on my nightstand.

Wednesday, we went to the beach to see the sunset.  It was my last day, so I played with Mango a lot and made sure to make the most of the time I had left.

Thursday, I headed home to Pittsburgh and my husband, who apparently missed me a lot.

I felt like meeting Michelle in person allowed for the final piece of our relationship to click.  We got to sit on the couch and drink coffee together.  We talked about whatever, and we did homework together.  It was like it was something we had always done together because we knew each other so well.  I miss her and Mango.  I can’t wait to see her again and introduce her to Berquin.  I am so thankful that Michelle is such a huge part of my life.  I feel like my life is much richer just by knowing her.

Although most students never meet their coaches, or meet them only after several years of building a solid relationship, Morgan and Michelle are proof that online/telephone/text/facebook/Skype relationships can be real, valuable and permanent.   To find out more about coaching a Foster Care to Success student, click HERE.  If you’re a student already in the FC2S ETV, NCReach or Scholarship Program, ask your Coordinator how to join this wonderful program!

Some people are heroes behind the scenes.  Such is Norma Miller, knitter (or, “needle artist”) and blogger extraordinaire. 

Seven years ago, the Foster Care to Success Care Package Program was undergoing a transformation from boxes of goodies mailed to designated students from their “Secret Santas” to a more structured, thrice yearly endeavor involving thousands of students, hundreds of volunteers, and donations from generous corporate and foundation sponsors.

FC2S had started a new tradition of sending students hand-knit or crocheted red scarves for Valentine’s Day, and with over 2,000 boxes waiting to be filled, we needed SCARVES!

The word went out, and Norma was contacted by a fellow-knitter.  On January 12, 2006 she posted a blog entitled Seeing Red – In a Good Way.  As passionate about the needs of young people as she was about knitting, Norma wrote and wrote … and her blog followers read, responded and reached out in turn.  Their efforts worked a near miracle; in less than two weeks, Foster Care to Success got all the scarves we needed and 2,500 care packages went out laden with red scarves and Valentine’s Day candy.

When asked why she felt so strongly about the Red Scarf Project, Norma replied, “I was a first generation college student myself, so I could relate to how they felt.  Plus, my daughter had attended a boarding high school and was about to start college when I first heard about the Red Scarf Project, and I fancied myself a bit of a ‘professional care package sender.’  I knew how important care packages were to kids away at school, and the idea that a foster child, against seemingly all odds, was able to make it into college and yet probably had no family – even their former foster families in many cases – to go home to on break or to call when they had down times or things they needed – just doing it all on their own – really called out to me.”

Today, Norma is busy with her profession as a CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) provider, and she doesn’t have as much time as she would like for other activities.  At the height of its popularity, however, her blog, Now Norma Knits, reached some 5,000 readers, and there has been no stopping these passionate needle artists and compassionate volunteers.

Thanks to their generosity and that of other knitters and crocheters across the country and even around the world, every year Foster Care to Success is able to send some 2,500 red scarves to college-aged foster youth in our Valentine’s Day care packages.   If you’d like to find out more, or to contribute a scarf, click HERE.

Thank you for the scarf, again.  I’ve gotten one every Valentine’s Day since I started in this program, and I love them all.  I tell everyone where I got them. I just say, ‘oh, someone in my family knitted it for me.’  Margaret – NY

My care package just arrived!  Thank you for everything in it, and especially for the hand-made red scarf.  I know how much it meant to the person who created it, and how much it means to me.  Derrick – MD

Most of my time was spent in Wroclaw, the European Capital for Culture in 2016. The main objective of the class was to experience and interact with the culture as international artists, not tourists. . My class and I performed various artistic collaborations at venues in both cities. We met in coffee shops and art galleries where we performed for the Polish audience. The events included music, live mural drawing, and poetry readings (that’s me!).  Every aspect of the performance was tailored to the specific talents of each student.

As an English major, I was able to bring my poetry across the world and recite it in front of a foreign audience. The experience was both incredible and surreal. Other students on the trip majored in illustration and sculpture, and most of them worked together to create large live murals that encouraged audience participation through modeling.

The overall theme of the trip was to participate in a cultural exchange though social and artistic interaction with the world and people around you. Perhaps the most challenging and most rewarding aspect of the trip was an “art as currency” exchange. Our class was assigned to exchange our art for something of monetary or intellectual value. Many students would approach people in the public and ask to draw them in exchange for a product, service, or story such as a cup of coffee or a language lesson. I handed out poems and paintings to helpful citizens and those I ventured into conversation with at local bistros.

For me, the most enjoyable event took place at a venture called Lokieta 5 in Wroclaw. We invited underprivileged children from the surrounding neighborhoods to participate in art lessons, drawings, and games.  Our time spent with those children was valuable to both the students on the trip and the children we met. I learned a lot of Polish from an energetic (and patient) little girl and in exchange I taught her some English tongue twisters!

The art events taught me to work under collaborative conditions to produce entertainment and art for the people of Poland. Working with the underprivileged children added a level of enrichment and gave me even more experience working with elementary aged ESL students. Overall, my short time in Poland enriched my cultural understanding and broadened my global perspective, helping to prepare me for graduation and immersion in international teaching environments.   Thank you, Foster Care to Success, for all the support you have given me, for this trip and throughout my college career!

Everybody has long-term plans and aspirations, and to reach them they strive towards intermediate goals.  Thinking about your own long-term aspirations, name one goal you have for the next school year.  Describe this goal, why it is important to your future, and the steps you will take to achieve it.  Be realistic and specific; next December we will return your essay and ask you to rate your progress towards the goal you have chosen. 

Courtney is finishing her first year at the University of Massachusetts, and her essay epitomizes the awesomeness of our students and why it is so important that we help them through college.  It’s because, well, they’re WORTH it.  Here is her essay, complete and unedited.

Although the prompt given to me was to write an essay about one goal I have for the next school year, I would like to take some time to reflect back on this school year, although it is not yet quite done- but almost!

August 30^th was one of the most nerve-wracking days of my short life of 19 years. I was moving into college. Not only was I moving physical objects into my dorm room that day, but also emotional and mental “objects” as well. A million thoughts ran through my head… What will college be like? (Amazing!) Will I make friends? (Yes, a few close ones!) Will I have to write a lot of essays? (In some classes…) How hard will the tests be? (Let’s not talk about that…). I was ecstatic to be starting this new phase of my life, my “grown up” life, but at the same time, it depressed me. It depressed me to be there without my dad, who was the most influential person in my life. However, I knew he and my mom were both with me, and continue to be with me in my heart and watch over me. As my first semester of college progressed, I became less of the scared “fresh meat” freshmen you see all the time on TV and in movies. I joined clubs associated with my major, such as the Belted Galloway group, which is a group dedicated to the care and management of the beef cattle herd my school has. Within the groups I joined, I made numerous friends with people from all years and backgrounds. I had the opportunity to compete with my school at an animal-science and agriculture related competition and even got fourth place in livestock judging, out of 200 people! I was sooo surprised! Final exam week came and went, not without extremely levels of stress and approximately $20 spent on chocolate alone. The numerous hours of studying certainly worth it when I looked at my first semester transcript and saw I had achieved a 3.7 GPA! As I continue to progress through my first year of college, I can honestly say that college has changed me. I am more independent now. I am able to wake myself up at 5 o’clock in the morning to feed dairy calves. I am able to sit down for 5 hours at a time to ponder over answers to calculus homework. I am able to balance my time between having fun with friends and finishing essays, such as this one! I am curious to see how college will affect me as I progress through the next 7 years… yes, 7 years. I’m going to be a vet after all!

Now back to the actual prompt! As stated above, this was my first year of college and I absolutely loved it! My long-term goal is to become a mixed practice veterinarian, meaning I work with both small animals, such as dogs and cats, and larger animals, such as cows and horses. As taught in school so many times, in order to achieve a long-term goal, you need short-term goals. My short term goal for my first semester of college was to get into the Commonwealth Honors College. I can put a check mark next to that! For my second semester of college, which I currently am completing, my goal is to achieve an A in chemistry. I set this goal for myself because I had a very small introduction to chemistry in high school. Although I know this is a big goal go achieve, I continue to work towards it by going to all the extra help sessions offered, studying with friends, and doing countless hours of online homework and reading. I will get that A!

Now you may ask, what is your goal for your next year of college? As a member of the Commonwealth Honors College, I am required to take a certain number of honors-level courses, including some within my major. Because I am newly inducted, I was not able to take any of said required courses last year. In my fall semester, I will be taking 2 courses as honors, Animal Welfare and also a Nutrition class. My goal is to get A’s in both classes. The workload is harder than “normal” classes, whose workloads are already very hard! Also in my spring semester, I will be taking Animal Nutrition as an honors course. Although this does not seem very hard, it is a junior level course. I am extremely interested in animal nutrition, so it will be helpful both when I am applying to veterinary school and when I actually become a vet. This short-term goal is important to my future because not only is it classes I need to take in order to graduate, those 3 classes will further my knowledge of information both in the veterinary medicine field and nutrition fields.

The steps I will take to achieve this goal are:

Get extra help!  I learned this semester that it is not a bad thing to ask for help, whether it is going to the professor’s office hours, the extra help sessions, or even ask a friend!

Pay attention in class! Although I do this now, I do tend to sometimes not pay attention at all times. Hey, who does?!

Go on Facebook less! Although social networking is a great way to stay in touch with people it would be hard to talk to on a normal basis, it can be quite distracting, especially when you are supposed to studying for finals! Maybe a temporary password change by my mom may be in order…

Although it may seem like that goal is all related to classes, I also have another short-term goal which will help me achieve my long-term goal of getting into veterinary school, and this is to join a non-animal science related group or club. Veterinary schools like to see well-rounded students. I also like to experience things I normally wouldn’t as an animal-science major, such as writing for the school newspaper or building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

When December rolls around, I hope to be able to say I achieved my short-term goals, and if not, I will come up with some more. Coming up with short-term goals can do nothing but help your journey to achieving your long-term goal. Baby steps are key!

Courtney, as they say – you rock.

As a group we had two parallel objectives, the first was to study how people organize in the absence of a civil society and the other objective followed up with a rapid needs assessment that occurred in the Fall of 2011 in partnership with the University of Colorado Center for Global Health and one of the local banana companies, Agroamerica. This partnership aims towards the betterment of health for the community and the employees neighboring the Agroamerica plantations.

Our research gave us insight into the socio-cultural struggles that this community faces and the overwhelming link between health and environment. The community leaders that we interviewed in our research overwhelmingly noted the problems associated with the floods that come every year during the rainy months. The public health concerns that were associated with flooding included contamination of personal wells with human waste from unsealed latrines, numerous diarrheal diseases, and loss of productivity on personnel agricultural plots. As a group we were able to assess and analyze some of the public health and environmental concerns in these communities through interviews and analysis of field notes.

The basic step toward improving health at a population level begins with sanitation, drinkable water, hand washing and containing human waste. While these precautionary measures are second nature in developed countries, this field school experience was a glimpse into the lives of those who still struggle with these problems. Our experience was a reminder of the importance of the key factors in breaking the chain of illness as ways to prevent illness.

As a future public health practitioner, this experience made me reconsider all of my preconceived notions of global practices in public health in developing communities. I learned that sometimes it’s not about achieving some sort of ideal model but first seizing at what is attainable and working from that point forward.

Well done, Amy!  Foster Care to Success believes that sometimes a student’s most valuable education comes outside of the classroom, and Amy’s experience is certainly proof of that. 

Lisa, who aged out of the foster care system before youth advocacy or self empowerment were even words in our vocabulary, was a self-empowered youth advocate out of the gate.  Within two years of leaving the system she had visited every group home and facility she had ever lived in, encouraging young people to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

Lisa received her Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Kentucky, and she is happily married with two beloved daughters.

Foster youth were never far from her mind, however.  As she says, “not everyone from my generation survived.”  In 2006 Lisa found her true calling as a volunteer with the newly-founded Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America (FCAA-Ohio) and the Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio (OHIO) Youth Advisory Board.  In 2007, she helped to launch a new foster youth higher education initiative, Ohio Reach. (NOTE:  Ohio foster youth can also visit the Ohio ETV Program for information on higher education grants and support.)

These three organizations give enormous support, encouragement and hope to Ohio’s foster youth.  Working through them, Lisa has trained foster parents and caseworkers, facilitated independent living classes and state independent living summits for teens, and even hosted family-style Thanksgiving dinners for foster teens and alumni across the state.  As Communications Chair for both Ohio-FCAA and Ohio Reach, she sends out regular communication and coordinates website development and maintenance.  And, of course, she is a fixture at meetings, events and conferences across the state of Ohio – few active youth do not grin at the mention of her name.

Lisa was recently asked what she would tell all foster youth, if she could shout it out to the world.  This is what she replied:

I would tell them that the past is not forever, and that there is – there really IS – a bright future ahead. We just have to work for it. Maybe we have to work harder than others, but it’s the very journey that makes us strong.

I would tell them that there is life beyond just day-to-day survival. The important thing is to look beyond this present moment and keep holding out for the future. If they call out for help and get a dial tone, please just keep on calling and keep on reaching out. If the day looks dark today, it will be brighter in the morning – I promise – just don’t give up.

The very losses we’ve experienced have made us so very strong…. We just can’t let them make us hard and bitter. It takes courage to continue to reach out and to love – but the result is this fierce and fearless joy in knowing everything that we have survived. 

Also, I would want them to know the truth: that we can accomplish much more working together than we can alone.

Lisa has received accolades from the field, including the 2012 Public Children Services Agencies of Ohio (PCSAO) Child Advocate of the Year Award, the 2012 Ohio CASA Child Advocate of the Year Award and the 2009 FCAA Volunteer of the Year Award.  But her greatest sense of achievement comes when a foster youth tells her, “Thanks – I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Ricardo Redd is a senior at Barry University in Florida,

Graduating from high school and getting into a good college was the ticket for me. I knew that as a foster kid, I had to do whatever it took to “win the prize,” so to speak. For me, winning the prize meant walking across that stage, getting my high school diploma, and moving far away from my home town and into a big city. College was the ticket to my dreams. I did not know however, that my personal finances would be “the” battle of my life.

            I don’t know how it works for most independent ex-foster children, but I came to college loaded. I’m talking about dozens of scholarships, grants, refund checks, credit cards; the works. I moved from South Carolina to Miami, FL and I lived it up. I took cabs everywhere; I went to the clubs, ate at the restaurants, bought my friends’ dinners, went to the beach and just had the time of my life. I blew my money like it was nothing and because of that, I ended up with nothing. I was trying to live like my peers but my peers had parents. My peers had family to go home to during the winter holidays and during the summers. But guess who had to take care of himself during these school breaks? You guessed it, me. I had not grasped the concept that I would now be completely on my own. In foster care I didn’t have to worry about rent and buying groceries, etc…Now you’re telling me that as an 18 year old and beyond I would be responsible for this stuff? This was going to be an ultimate test of my independence.

            I was fortunate the past few years to save up enough money and get a place of my own during the summers, and my school allowed me to live on campus during the winter holidays as well. But I still barely got by. I never budgeted and I always ended up with more “month at the end of the money.” Why couldn’t I get this right? What was hindering me from true financial independence? Though my finances seemed to never make sense, my career always has been stable and advancing. The summer of 2012 I was given a contract to perform in a musical tour. This tour was the job of my life. I got paid to perform for two months and I toured…professionally! This was very exciting and it was a magical experience. My rent was paid, I had food to eat, and I blew my cash (how exciting). The issue was however, that I quickly blew through my money again. I couldn’t believe that I was having more financial problems. My cast mates ate out every night, they went to Disney World, and clubbed without me, because I was too broke to hang with them. I had to use whatever money I had to pay rent the next month. It was difficult to explain to my peers that I couldn’t do what they did, even though we all made the same amount of money. While this job was very fun and exciting, it was a hassle just trying to survive.

            Fast-forward to September 2012 and my financial life was completely falling apart. I had managed to have a $0 balance in my checking account and I was miserable. How could I have allowed this to happen once again? What is wrong with me? Then something clicked inside.  I realized that I was allowing my past to hinder my financial future. I had a difficult family life, filled with many mental, emotional, and physical “lacks,” and I was using money as a coping mechanism to give myself whatever I wanted. After all, I deserved it right? I equate this with athletes or lottery winners who suddenly receive fortunes. When someone without proper financial and emotional skills gets exposed to new found freedom and wealth, they lose it (literally). I was beginning to see a pattern between myself and those people in the media who gain much but suddenly lose everything. I decided that month I would make a change and never allow this to happen again. First I wrote a five-page letter to my family, addressing all the pain and emotions I held in for so long. I then locked myself away from the world and into my room for an entire month. I didn’t buy anything, I only ate on campus (free), and I stayed in complete solitude. I got rid of the people in my life who were bad financial influences as well. During this time, I watched countless videos on personal finance, I read multiple articles on budgeting, and I finally wrote a budget. Out of all these things, I made a promise to myself that if I couldn’t truly afford something, I would simply say “No.” The ability for us to say no is challenging. We feel that saying no means losing friends, being judged, living without excitement, etc…but the ability to say no is a beautiful thing and it is OKAY. If everyone learned to say no, I believe the world would be a better place (think about it).

            So here I am, almost six months later. I have savings in my account, I budget religiously, and I have a new perspective on life itself. I tell my friends and peers “no” when I can’t or shouldn’t buy things, I live with comfort in knowing I’m officially taking care of my finances like an adult, and I truly “get” that I can’t live like my fellow peers. I understand that though we seem to have the same lifestyle, we do not, and that is okay. I have mentally conditioned myself to be the most disciplined financial steward I can be and I am glad I figured it all out while in college.

             During these trying times mentioned above, I’ve had so many lifelines from Foster Care to Success (FC2S). This organization has been there for me in so many ways and I am so grateful to have them in my life. Though my real family may be off in the distance, I know that this wonderful organization will always be my family as well as countless other foster youth and foster youth in transition. No matter what I thought or what other people think, we cannot do this “life thing” alone. How can young adults be thrown into the wilderness and magically know everything there is to know about being adults and being prepared financially? It’s organizations like FC2S that give people like me room to grow and a lifeline when we need it.

Ricardo is a dreamer and an entrepreneur, and with stars in his eyes but the know-how and skill to achieve his goals.  Here is a link to his website, which showcases his talents and interests.  Click on the “publishing” link to visit other websites he maintains.

Well done, Ricardo!

Amanda received the Foster Care to Success Scholarship while working toward her Bachelor’s Degree, and the Casey Family Scholar’s Graduate Scholarship while in her Master’s Program. Read about her passion to make change for youth transitioning out of foster care, and personal journey below.

My goal is to give back to foster youth, to make it a little easier for them to work toward success. I feel that I was lucky to have had one placement while in care, and lots of people looking out for me, helping me work toward independence, but it wasn’t always easy. I dropped out of high school upon entering foster care because I was so far behind in school and didn’t have confidence in my ability to catch-up. I was discouraged and didn’t see much hope for the future.

My caseworker and foster parents pushed me to complete school. This gave me a new found sense of self-confidence. College was a dream I never thought possible, but I was encouraged to apply anyway. I was accepted to the University of Alaska Anchorage, and needed to make a decision about my future. What did I want to when I grew up? I had no idea…

I attended a meeting, where the state’s Independent Living Program was working to create a youth advisory board. I met other foster youth who were in the same boat as me. We were all pretty worried about making the transition to adulthood and what we would be become. We decided to step things up and become our own organization. We adopted the name, Facing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA), and I served two terms as President. We grew into an organization of over 300 foster youth and alumni ages 15-24 throughout the state of Alaska. 10 years later, we are a non-profit organization that provides training to foster youth about their rights, allows foster youth an opportunity to share their story and provide training to child welfare staff and allies, a network of peer support throughout the state, and we have helped pass major foster care reforms in Alaska.

Through my work with FFCA, I recognized what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to give back to the system and people that gave so much to me, so I declared my major as Social Work. I wanted to be the kind of Social Worker that focused on Social Justice and increasing opportunities for the disadvantaged. Today, I am the Statewide Coordinator of FFCA. I have the opportunity to teach youth how to be advocates, develop skills as leaders, and inspire them by sharing my personal story.

FFCA has accomplished so much, that I can’t help but brag about the importance of the youth voice and what it can accomplish. Here’s a list of all the incredible things we have helped to achieve.

• Extended foster care to 21, and allowed youth the option to re-enter foster care until age 21.
• Added two regional Independent Living Program staff to the four statewide.
• Increased funds for foster parent recruitment.
• Launched a mentoring program for older foster youth.
• Won freedom of speech rights for foster youth.
• Won a suit to allow children on under 21 Medicaid to receive medically necessary orthodontia.
• Launched a discount clothing program foster families.
• Increased state tuition waiver and ETV Funding Support.
• And much, much, more!

FFCA has given me a sense of hope for the future, and pride in myself. I love being able to work with foster youth and alumni.

After advocating for increased funding and support for foster youth attending college, I took a newly created position with the University of Alaska Anchorage, at the child Welfare Academy. In addition to my work with FFCA, I’m currently the Youth Education Coordinator, and I work with foster youth enrolled in higher education. I work to help manage their ETV and Tuition Wavier funding, provide case management, help incoming students prepare, and act as an overall support to foster youth in college throughout the state.

During my time in college, I had a wealth of support from the Foster Care to Success Foundation. The funding support, care packages, and caring staff were a constant sense of encouragement. I credit much of my success to those at Foster Care to Success who have helped me so much!

Read more about Amanda here:  University of Alaska article and Casey Excellence for Children Award announcement.

Because of what he was given, he was able to give back.  Thuch always knew that he needed to return to Africa and give back to the people of his homeland, and upon graduation he got a job in South Sudan with World Vision International.

I was the Malaria Project Officer in two counties in Warrap State, South Sudan.  Malaria is considered one of the most deadly diseases  in the developing and undeveloped countries of the world, and it is part of the United Nation’s Millennium goals to eradicate it in Africa.  I was the one that managed World Vision’s overall activities … training community volunteers, planning budgets and activities, collecting data, preparing weekly and monthly reports, and completing monthly appraisals of my subordinates were among my many tasks.  I helped distribute 600,000 long lasting, insecticide-treated nets to protect people from mosquitoes. We targeted vulnerable groups: children under the age of five, pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised health conditions.  We also did a mass distribution of mosquito nets to all households in our areas of concentration.

In addition to those responsibilities, I helped produce liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) for the local people through a simple process of electrolysis – non-iodized salt and water were mixed in a 10-liter container and then connected to a solar panel which ran for eight hours to produce the chlorine.  I am grateful to Engineers without Borders at Seattle University, who trained me on this process and gave me the chlorine generator which I took to the South Sudan in April 2011.

Thuch came back to Washington State at the end of 2012.  He wants to go  to school for a Master’s in Public Health, so that he can return to his homeland once more and help his people at the policy level.

He contacted FC2S to update us on his life, and mentioned not being a “lost boy” anymore.  When questioned, he elaborated:

After going to South Sudan, people started calling me “the found boy,” trying to discourage the name “lost boy.” They didn’t expect many South Sudanese-Americans to return to a country ravaged by 50 years of war, but I am totally attached to that country. I would respond to them that yes I am a found boy indeed, but I am found because somebody on the other side of the ocean has taken care of me by giving me an education. When we used to learn the alphabet on sandy floors because we couldn’t afford exercise books, teachers told us, “Now that you have no parents, education is going to be your mother and father.” I didn’t know what it meant until coming into this country. They were right; I’m not constantly thinking so much about my parents because I can now stand up alone.

Although I continue to struggle, other people have really made me better. I never before dreamed of being able to help someone else, because I was incapable of helping my own self. But now, the knowledge I have gotten from generous Americans has allowed me to make a difference in the lives of more than 300,000 people in the two counties I served.

The little struggles that I continue to have are minor compared to the hopeless life I used to have before arriving in America. The Foster Care to Success scholarship and the help and support of others as well gave me a brighter future where I can be among the people making differences in their world. Whenever I feel good about what I’ve done for others, I immediately think about others who brought a difference into my life. I came back here so I can attend graduate school and to return home with more knowledge. In thinking bigger, a $5000 scholarship money given to me didn’t just help me but has ended up helping others. Our country is now free from oppression but not yet free from illiteracy rates which exacerbate the spread of simply controlled diseases like malaria.  One day I will return, and continue to play my part to improve the lives of my countrymen.

Let the Foster Care to Success leadership, sponsors, staff and volunteers know that I am thankful, and will always be, for the scholarship awarded to me.

Making chlorine.