May 13
20
There are two books written for young adults that have been recommended to me in the last week. The books are:
The Defining Decade: Why your twenties matter – and how to make the most of them now by Meg Jay, PhD
Twentysomething: Why Do Young Adults Seem Stuck? by Robin Marantz Henig and Samantha Henig
The disclaimer I was given is that the books are most likely more appealing to professionals who work with young adults than to young adults themselves. I plan to check them out soon.
I am a strong proponent of reading for all ages. Here is a photo recap of my favorite books for teens:
May 13
17
It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
For these are all our children. We will all profit by, or pay for, whatever they become.
-James Baldwin
The essence of our effort to see that every child has a chance must be to assure each an equal opportunity, not to become equal, but to become different — to realize whatever unique potential of body, mind and spirit he or she possesses.
-John Fischer
A teen’s life is worth documenting. -Nicki Sanders
We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. -Stacia Tauscher
Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist.
-Michael Levine
If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand for much. -Marian Wright Edelman
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity raise awareness of the experiences and needs of the more than 400,000 children and youth in the foster care system. The campaign also encourages the community to get involved and support these young people. Every year, approximately 30,000 young people leave the foster care system without lifelong families – most at age 18.

Each month, The Teen Toolbox recognizes a resilient teenager as our SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month. SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month award recognizes a youth (14-21) in the foster care system that is leading a life of promise and making a positive impact in his or her community. Nominations are accepted on a continuous basis.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer
The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic empowerment strategies to help teens set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals through its PACKAGED FOR SUCCESS™ Programs.
May 13
13
What: The 7th Flag Takeover is an ALL GIRLS event taking place at Six Flags America on June 1, 2013. The ladies will experience:
When: Saturday, June 1, 2013
Where: SIX FLAGS AMERICA, 12710 Central Avenue, Mitchellville, MD 20721
Time: 12:00pm-9:00pm
Ages: 11-16 years old – Prince George’s County Residents only.
Admission: $26 – Registration due by May 17th
See the THE 7TH FLAG TAKEOVER FLYER here! Questions, please call M-NCPPC at 301-249-7200.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer
May 13
10
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Biological Mothers, Adopted Mothers, Foster Mothers, Step Mothers, Grandmothers, God Mothers, Mothers In Law, and Mother Figures. THANK YOU!
The mother’s heart is the child’s school-room. -Henry Ward Beecher
There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one. -Jill Churchill
When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. -Sophia Loren
May 13
8
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Yesterday was National Teacher Day (May 7, 2013). Did you thank a teacher?
This blog post is dedicated to all the amazing teachers preparing a new generation of change world changers! THANK YOU!!
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
–Henry Brooks Adams
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
–William Arthur Ward
“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”
–Mark Van Doren
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”
–Japanese proverb
May 13
6
Although many people misunderstand them, negatively stereotype them, underestimate them, and are even a bit afraid of them, I love working with teens. Teens are not just our future – they are our present. I believe that we all have an obligation to prepare a better world for them to inherit and also to adequately prepare them to be world changers.
As we continue to highlight the great work of various agencies, individuals, and publications throughout National Foster Care Month, today I want to send a very special THANK YOU to all the foster parents stepping in to bring positive changes to so many lives. Happy Foster Care Month!! YOU ROCK!! (Oh, and by the way, I do realize that society negatively stereotypes foster parents as well).