Foster Care: Do You Want To?

I saw the first episode of Family Addition with Leigh Anne Touhy this past Friday and the second episode of The Fosters on Monday. The question that I asked myself after each television show was “Did this make me want to help a child in the foster care system?” I am a very critical viewer and the verdict is still out on both shows.

One way to eliminate negative stereotypes about children and teens in foster care is to share stories of successful placements, thriving young people, and well-rounded foster care alumni. Our SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month feature aims to eliminate negative stereotypes of teens in foster care and show that when given support and encouragement young people can change the world.

Join us in the celebration. Nominate a teen in foster care that is leading a life of promise and making a positive impact in his or her community for SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month today. Nominations are accepted on a continuous basis. #STOTM

I’m Back On Track

I have to admit that during the month of May I have been on autopilot. — sometimes even feeling stagnant.  There were also several times during National Foster Care Month when I pondered “why I do what I do”.  Today I had several “why” reminders.  In fact, they were more like “wake up calls” and now I’m feeling like myself again. I had to RePackage Myself For Success!

GET READY…I’M BACK ON TRACK!!!

Back on the path that leads to:

·         Providing a platform for teens to share their awesomeness.

·         Empowering teens to accept and embrace this platform (and other opportunities that come their way).

·         Lending my voice to those teens that have been silenced.

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.  Pack A Backpack Drive is The Teen Toolbox’s annual National Foster Care Month event.  During the month of May we have collected and distributed new and gently used backpacks (duffel bags, and luggage) and new personal hygiene items to teenage males in group homes, foster homes, and homeless shelters.

Today is the last day to donate: toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, hand sanitizer, deodorant, soap, acne products, lotion, powder, shampoo, conditioner, shaving items, etc.  We are also collecting disposable cameras and wallets.

What I Know Now:

• These drives have grown too large for Nicki to make all the deliveries

What Are Your Teen’s Reading?

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:

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

THANK YOU FOSTER PARENTS

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).

Children and Teens in Foster Care Belong to All of Us

Every state in the United States has children and teens in the foster care system. These young people belong to all of us. May is National Foster Care Month.  Let’s show that we care.

National Foster Care Month Core Messages: 

• The Magnitude – on any given day there are more than 400,000 children in foster care. 

• The Need – every child needs at least one permanent connection with a caring, trusted adult

• The Faces of Foster Care – a disproportionate number of children in foster care are children of color but children of race, ethnicity, culture and age group are a part of the child welfare system

• The Consequences – youth who age out of the system are more likely to experience a variety of negative consequences including homelessness and prison