Tag Archive
This Is What I Do
Clarity = clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding; freedom from indistinctness or ambiguity
I am Nicki Sanders, Chief Visionary Officer of The Teen Toolbox. I am a youth advocate and life skills expert who uses my Packaged For Success™ program to help teens age 14-21 set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals. I am especially committed to developing seminars that support teens in foster care in creating life-long connections and achieving economic independence. In addition, she offers professional development training for youth workers and educators. I holds Master’s degree in Social Work and have fifteen years of direct experience with youth and families in residential, school-based, and community based programs.
As the Ultimate Blog Challenge winds down and I think back to my reasons for participating I am proud to say that I achieved my goals. I pulled out my “Speaker One Sheet” and realized that my blogs covered each of my speaking topics.
- Positive Youth Development
- Foster Care
- Life Skills/Independent Living
- Transition/Preparing For the Future
- Leadership and Advocacy
- Academic Empowerment
- Career Exploration and Workforce Development
- Volunteerism/Civic Engagement
Feel free to take a stroll through my April blog posts and consider me if you are planning a workshop or training for:
- Teens
- Youth Service Providers
- Child Welfare Workers
- Educators
- Supervisors and Administrators
- Parents and Foster Parents
I am also available for:
- Conferences
Is There Success In That Package?
Packaged For Success™ is a preparation lifestyle – a collection of positive habits and character traits where we are prepared for the great things life has to offer.
Our Packaged For Success™ Youth Portfolio Development Program helps foster teens put their best foot forward! During our professional portfolio development seminar, youth discover their strengths, record their achievements, create their own definition of success, and plan their future. The end result is a completed professional portfolio complete with employment tools, academic records, and documentation of community service activities.
1. Package = a bundle of something, usually of small or medium size, that is packed and wrapped or boxed
Prepared with our accomplishments and experiences in a professional portfolio.
2. Package = something conceived of as a compact unit having particular characteristics
Prepared with a mindset of abundance that allows us to take advantage of opportunities that come our way.
8 Things About Nicki
As I continue to celebrate my April 8th birthday, I want to share 8 things about me you probably didn’t know.
- I am always thinking. My mind goes nonstop even when I’m on vacation.
- I’ve always known I would author a book. (Stay tuned)
- Swamp People is TV viewing guilty pleasure.
- I want to live on a farm but only if someone else is responsible for daily animal care.
- I love Fred Hammond music as much as I love New Edition music.
- I have driven an hour across state lines for pancakes (my favorite food).
- The only movie I’ve been excited to see in a long time is Fast & Furious 6. (Even I’m shocked how much I love the series.)
- I planned to skydive and zip line for my special day but a fender bender forced me to eliminate them from the birthday list. (Skydiving was meant to conquer fear and not for fun)
Related Post: What Am I Afraid to Tell You?
I Welcomed This Challenge
Challenge – a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.
During the month of April I am taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge where the goal is to write 30 blog posts in 30 days. In 2012, I only blogged twice a week. At the start of the New Year I increased my posts to three times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I welcomed this challenge as a part of my advocacy. I want more people to understand the challenges faced by teens in foster care. The Ultimate Blog Challenge pales miserably in comparison to aging out of the foster care system without a permanent, supportive family. The definition of the challenge that these brave teens face is to endure a bad situation.
I challenge you to learn more about the needs of teens in foster care.
Related Post: How Can Foster Care Lead To Homelessness?
You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse
There are many titles that fit me, including Youth Advocate, Foster Care Advocate, and Mother. I love humanity. I have a special place in my heart for all people but I believe strongly that children and teenagers deserve special care, consideration, and concern. In a nutshell, that is why I do what do.
Today is April Fool’s Day but what I’m writing about today is no laughing matter. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
History:
Increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of children led to the passage of the first Federal child protection legislation, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), in 1974. In 1983, April was proclaimed the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As a result, child abuse and neglect awareness activities are promoted across the country during April of each year. While CAPTA has been amended many times over the years, most recently with the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, the purpose of the original legislation remains intact.
The Big Day Is Almost Here
Today is the first day of spring and April is on the way. You’re probably wondering why I am so excited about April. Well…
My birthday is in April and this year is a VERY special one for ME. I will be celebrating my birthday by kicking off our Pack A Backpack Drive on April 8, 2013!
We begin collecting for our 2nd Annual Pack A Backpack Drive in April. No one should be forced to carry their personal belongings in garbage bags. Our 2013 Pack A Backpack goal is to collect and distribute 80 backpacks, duffel bags, and travel luggage filled with personal hygiene items to teen males in foster homes, group homes, and homeless shelters. We hope to partner with fraternities, church groups, sports teams, barber shops, mentoring groups, school clubs, and men’s stores.
