Toni – Foster-Adopt Mother, Advocate, and Author

Today we continue our National Foster Care Awareness Month blog series on teen males in foster care by addressing mental health. Toni Hoy and her family have endured separation, loss of parental rights, and criminalization by the system put in place to protect children.  Toni’s son, Daniel, has been placed in the Illinois foster care system twice.  The first placement was as a result of severe neglect as an infant.  At age 13, the Hoy family lost custody of Daniel and he was once again placed in foster care but this time in a residential facility. 

Reading Means The World Is Your Classroom

You may have read my last blog about empowering youth to take calculated risks.  One way to improve critical thinking skills and to encourage calculated risk taking is through reading regularly.

Reading is preparation for the future.  We cannot put a price tag on the value of a quality education.  No child can be properly education without becoming a good reader.   Poor reading skills usually results in low grades and may lead to low self esteem.  Reading opens up new worlds and new possibilities.  A book allows youth to escape their current situation and imagine a brighter tomorrow.  Youth become more aware of their worlds and their potential simply by reading.

Believe in You, Don’t Quit (Poem)

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest if you must, But don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a person turns about,
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow.
You may succeed with another blow.

Often strugglers have given up
When you might have captured the victor’s cup,
And you learned too late when the night came down,
How close you was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the cloud of doubt.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you
Mustn’t Quit!

~Author Unknown 

Nicki, Have You Been “Packaged For Success™”?

Packaged For Success™  is not just a portfolio development program – it is a brand – my lifestyle.  I founded The Teen Toolbox because I am my client.  Through the Packaged For Success Program I deliver the customer service and support that I wanted to receive.  I created programs and workshops that were not available to me as a teen.

My Playlist Dedicated To Our Youth

I LOVE music.  I also love sharing music so today I am dedicating 5 songs to our youth.  (Of course the list could go on but then you would get tired of reading it.)

1. The Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston

2. Hero – Mariah Carey

 3. Believe – Fantasia Barrino (video)

4. Beautiful – Christina Aguilera

5. Never Say Never – Justin Bieber featuring Jaden Smith

Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer

The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic enrichment opportunities 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.

Pack A Diaper Bag Too?

If you’re like me, you encounter children in various public places that very loudly express their restlessness, boredom, hunger, or anger.  My running joke is that I’m going to offer a presentation on how to properly pack a diaper bag before you take your child to the doctor’s office, church, mall, auto repair shop and generally out in public.  Then it all hilariously came back to me – I DID do a presentation on how to pack a diaper bag over 15 years ago!

The Road Trip (poem)

This map has a starting point

But no set destination

The vehicle must navigate unknown territory

The road signs are plentiful

The speed limit increases

Straight ahead a sudden detour

The vehicle takes the new road

Lovely scenery

A more pleasant ride

You must choose the destination

You are the vehicle

The road trip is your life

 By Nicki Sanders

(c) 2006-2012

The Road Trip Workshop will serve as an introduction to personal development.  Through interactive activities participants will discover their strengths and assets, recognize road blocks, and examine their support system as they travel on their personal success journey.  Bring our workshop to your group today. 

Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer

The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic enrichment opportunities 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.