Passion, Compassion, and Integrity

I posted a status on my social media accounts a few days ago that read, “A degree can’t produce passion, compassion, and integrity.” I received quite a few “Likes”, retweets, and interesting comments.  The responses I received made me really think about what that statement means to me and led me to write this blog post.

Let me begin by saying that I am one hundred percent pro education.  Education encourages research and critical thinking and opens doors of opportunity.  I have a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Social Work to support my theories.  At the end of 2011 I came to the firm conclusion that The Teen Toolbox work will focus on improving the quality of life for youth involved in the foster care and child welfare system.  Actually, foster care is not really a new path or target population for me.  In fact, participation in a holiday drive for a residential facility for teen mothers in foster care during my senior year in high school is what helped solidify my career choice. The other option on the table was education. Yep, I was considering becoming a teacher. (Didn’t I tell you that I am pro education?)  My passion for helping others, compassionate personality, and personal integrity led me to pursue higher education and more specifically the field of social work.

Why Foster Care and Why Now?

After weeks of dropping hints, I announced on New Year’s Day that The Teen Toolbox will work for and with youth in the foster care system.  Many people have supported the change but wondered why I decided to focus on teens in foster care and why I am making the decision now.  The truth is I have worked with and for youth in foster care for the last twenty years.  This has always been my passion.  Collecting donations for a residential home for teen mothers in the child welfare system as a high school senior was my entry point to the world of youth in foster care.  My curiosity led me to do more research and to pursue social work in college.