The child welfare system is expansive, sometimes overbearing, and uniquely complex in the outcomes it can deliver. Equally as complex are the young people that enter and exit and the lives they choose to lead. Many of us take on roles working to improve the lives of other vulnerable populations whether they are in the […]

A Dangerous Combination Observations from our work We have seen how psychotropics harm children in various foster care systems when not carefully administered.   For example, in Missouri, we got to know KC.  She was 12 years old and placed in a large congregate care facility.  She was prescribed five psychotropics. Our adult client, Kris, when […]

Around the country, youth in foster group homes, juvenile detention centers, and prisons are testing positive for the coronavirus. Some places have seen riots, with kids running away from facilities because they are afraid of being infected – in one instance they were tear-gassed. These children are being placed in 20-hour-plus solitary confinement for their […]

Join us on Thursday, May 21st at 3 PM EST for a virtual art class with Ronald Draper, Children’s Rights Young Professional Leadership Council Member, and Award-Winning Visual Artist.   Reciprocity & Generosity Through Art: A virtual art class for all experience levels to offer hope to those who need it most.   The concept: […]

I was born in New Jersey 21 years ago but moved as a baby to Pakistan with my parents and half-sister. Fast forward to 2018 when, halfway through my junior year at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, I moved into The New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan. Me! Living at an iconic New York landmark, built […]

For me, the COVID-19 crisis is happening on two levels. As a deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Conroe Texas, my work life has adjusted, we are taking precautions, but it’s still basically business as usual. I am trained to keep people calm, caution them to take care, but not to panic. Our […]

Meet 29-year old Khadija Adula. Born to Malian parents in Congo, Brazzaville, Khadija spent much of her youth running from unsafe and unstable living situations. A recent college graduate, she dreams of being a gynecologist to protect girls in West Africa from the heinous practice of female genital mutilation.

Khadija shares her journey of resilience and realizing her dreams.

Meet Bilonda Tshimanga.

Meet Travis Schwerin. Originally from Wisconsin, Travis grew up dreaming of a mother he saw from TV personalities. Watching Rosie on TV, he was able to see what a loving parent looked like. Unfortunately, his experiences differed greatly from what he saw. Travis entered the foster care system at the age of 7. Bouncing among various foster families and his birth mom. Now a young adult, he refuses to let his past circumstances define his life. Travis shares his experiences in the foster care system and the bright future he is building for himself. Here’s Travis’ story.

Nawanna Snipe fought a long battle to adopt her daughter Deanna, now 10 years old. With her grandmother’s words of wisdom and love echoing in her ears, she has made it her primary job to ease the pain of her daughter’s past and provide a loving home.

Nawanna discusses the joys and challenges of being a mom to a child who was in the foster care system.

Here’s their story.