Foster Care Society’s Post

If you haven’t booked your ticket for ‘Sound of a Hope,’ we think you'll miss out. We wouldn’t usually advertise a film, but we’re going to make an exception as this one is worth celebrating. Sound of Hope is based on a true story and focuses on the truths about foster youth, their lives, and how we can make a difference as a community. Raising awareness of foster youth and ensuring they feel heard is something we are all responsible for. Imagine the impact we could have if we all spoke up. We are all responsible for raising awareness of foster youth and ensuring they feel heard. Imagine the impact we could have if we all spoke up and raised awareness about foster youth, their lives, and the benefits of adoption. #EmpowerFosterYouth #DE&I, #RaiseAwareness, #TheImportanceoflistening Suppose we gave them a voice and truly listened. It's our collective responsibility to ensure foster youth feel heard and supported. #Empowerfosteryouth, #Raisewareness, #Ineedhelp

👀 New Blog Post Alert! Honoring youth means truly listening—to their needs, dreams, and preferences. It’s about fostering lifelong connections that offer safety, stability, and a foundation for future happiness. This #NationalAdoptionMonth, we’re reflecting on how communities, agencies, and families can strengthen adoption pathways. By building support networks and understanding the unique experiences of young people, we can create brighter futures for every child in the system. Read the full post to learn how you can make a difference. https://ow.ly/MZar50U9xU8 #FosterCareAdoption #AdoptInVirginia #CHSVA

Catherine Hernandez's novel, "Scarborough," provides a stark depiction of community resilience amid systemic adversity. Set in the Kingston/Galloway neighbourhood, this book emphasizes the vital role of a local community centre that strives to support vulnerable families from marginalized communities. Hernandez highlights the vulnerability of support systems due to shifting governmental priorities, affecting workers and the community. The narrative, which also received acclaim as a film at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), focuses on three children growing up with the odds stacked against them. To elaborate, it focuses on the coming-of-age of three young children living in a low-income neighbourhood and how they form bonds in a community centre despite the hardships they and their families face. It showcases how community centers can be crucial safe havens that foster bonds and support amidst hardship. A particularly moving episode involves the struggle of an Indigenous mother, Marie, to obtain an autism diagnosis for her son, Johnny. The scene reveals systemic barriers preventing access to care for marginalized families, calling for greater empathy and action in healthcare and social services. Scarborough" serves as a powerful call to professionals to advocate for policies that strengthen community support structures and ensure equitable service access. This story is more than a tribute to community center workers; it's a prompt for ongoing dialogue about inclusivity and the creation of resilient communities in the face of institutional challenges. Scarborough' is more than a story; it's a call to action. Let's commit to fostering empathy, and enhancing community support systems. Learn more by reading our newsletter through this link: https://lnkd.in/gVhRMjf7 #BIPOC #POC #bipoccontentcreators #spinningforward #microinfluencers #smallcontentcreators #toronto #canadianhealthcare #indigenous #torontonovel #tiff #torontointernationalfilfestival #scarborough

🌟 We are inspired by the power of small acts of love to create big change. Atlanta Angels is proof that when we work together, we can transform lives. Join us in supporting foster care communities and making a lasting impact on the lives of children, youth, and families. 💖🤝🌈 For more information on how you can get involved and make a difference, check out the first comment! #SupportFosterCare #MakeADifference #IntentionalGiving #TransformingLives #AtlantaAngels

In fifty years, the general public attitude towards people with disabilities has improved greatly from "lock them away! Institutionalize them all!" We still have a long, long way to go, but we have a reasonable start. If you feel drawn to helping disabled people live their fullest and best life, we have a number of agencies with plenty of opportunities for you. Some positions ask for in-person assistance and companionship, like the Vision Mate for the CNIB or the Leisure Pal for Community Living Trent Highlands. Alternatives Community Programing needs Dance Chaperones for their monthly dances. Community Care requires drivers to help get seniors and independent disabled people to appointments and shopping. All of these positions require a Vulnerable Sector Screening and a few other qualifications. Check each posting carefully to make sure you can/will tick all the boxes. You can also assist at the monthly bingo at Delta Gaming. You just need a resume and proof that you're over age 19 to be in the bingo hall. Find out more here: https://buff.ly/41Jqa0H Never underestimate how much assisting with a fundraiser benefits the agency. And don't worry about tobacco use. Only the Drag Bingos allow smoking! It's not Memaw's bingo hall! Make your search easier. Make a free profile for yourself, choose "people with disabilities" as one of your causes, and pick from the dozens of very worthy opportunities in our listings. Check them out today! https://buff.ly/3rsamzk #TryItTuesday #InclusionMatters #VolunteersNeeded

As of September 30, 2022, there were nearly 109,000 children, in the US, waiting to be adopted who were at risk of aging out of foster care without permanency. This year's National Adoption Month theme is “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds.” Young people should have a strong support network that meets their needs; embraces and affirms their racial, ethnic, and cultural identity; and promotes family, community, and cultural connections. By honoring every youth and their network, professionals can work toward an adoption that is meaningful and purposeful, paving the way for healing, well-being, and long-term stability. Permanency is so important to give children the stability, love and support they deserve. https://lnkd.in/g8nFbJKP

It’s #FosterCareMonth. Again. 😬      Every year in May we have more evidence that Foster Care is NOT the best model to care for our children. Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Why are we not doing better?     We have research. We have pilots. We have scientific studies. We have the voices of lived experts. We have success stories showing that co-design and prevention not only produce better outcomes but are more financially sustainable in the long run.     We now know that we indeed CAN UnSystem this broken system and transform the future of children in our nation. Together, we can not only prevent harm, but create much better outcomes.      As we wrap up #FosterCareMonth, let's center our conversations around co-designing the supports children and families need to stay safely together. Let’s change the narrative, and change the future. Onward together! #FosterCare #ChildWelfare #FamilySupport #ChildProtection #PreventionFirst #TogetherWeCan #SystemReform #SocialChange #CoDesign #BetterOutcomes #CommunitySupport #ProtectChildren #EndFosterCare #KeepFamiliesTogether #ChildrenFirst #UnSystem

Did you know that over 407,000 youth are currently in the foster care system across the United States? Here in Georgia, the need for support is especially critical. These young individuals face unique challenges that require our immediate attention and action. 📊 Key Facts and Statistics: Increased Risk: Youth in foster care are at a higher risk for adverse life outcomes, including educational challenges and mental health issues. They are seven times more likely to suffer from depression and five times more likely to experience anxiety compared to their non-foster peers. · Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Over 50% of foster youth have dealt with four or more ACEs, which can lead to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance abuse later in life. · Educational Challenges: Foster youth are more likely to struggle with absenteeism and have special education needs, making it harder for them to achieve academic success. · Support Systems: Programs that focus on leadership, life skills, and relationship building are crucial. However, these programs need your support to continue making a difference.   🤝 How You Can Help: Volunteer: Your time and skills can make a significant impact on a child's life. Consider becoming a mentor or volunteering at local programs. Donate: Financial contributions are essential to fund the necessary programs and services that support foster youth. Advocate: Use your voice to raise awareness about the needs of foster youth and advocate for policies that provide better support and resources. By getting involved, you can help foster youth in Georgia overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential. Let's create a brighter future for these young individuals together! 🔗Join us in making a difference: www.camphorizon.net #FosterCare #Georgia #YouthSupport #Volunteer #Donate #Advocate #MakeADifference

Sometimes, the stories that touch us the most are those left untold, hidden in the quiet spaces of our world. Today, I want to share the story of feeling lost, a feeling I know all too well, mirrored in the eyes of a 13-year-old living in a residential children's home. At 13, I remember standing on the cusp of countless possibilities, my heart full of dreams and questions. But imagine, at that very age, standing instead at a crossroads of uncertainty, hurt and longing, in a place that's meant to be a home yet feels miles away from what home should be. Drugs, alcohol, feeling like rebelling against anyone that stands in your way. This is the reality for many kids in residential homes today. They navigate their teenage years without the anchor of a family, their sense of belonging tethered loosely to fleeting connections. It's a journey marked by resilience, yes, but also a silent plea for understanding, for someone to see them, to reach out a hand. I see so much of my own search for belonging in these young souls. This story is mine, but it could have been yours. This is why I'm reaching out to my network today. It's not just about raising awareness; it's about fostering a community that's ready to stand in the gap. Whether it’s offering our time, our resources, or simply our willingness to listen, we have the incredible opportunity to light a path of hope and discovery for these young hearts. Because every child deserves to feel seen, to be held by a hope that guides them towards a future they dare to dream of. #HopeForTheFuture #CommunitySupport #YouthMentorship #childrenincare #careleaver

Imagine stepping into adulthood... Without the basic support networks that many of us take for granted... This is the challenging reality for thousands of young individuals transitioning out of foster care annually. Despite difficulties, they show remarkable resilience. What they need more: ➡ Training programs provide valuable guidance on creating loving environments. ➡Regular support, such as counseling and breaks, offers much-needed relief. ➡a supportive fostering of community. #community #fostercaremonth #youth #youthinneed