We can't do this work without all of you and your support - from financial support to your incredible testimonials - from donating your birthdays to creating other personal fundraisers - from the youth we resource to our young leaders that are changing the future of foster care for generations to come... You all have made 2018 a year to remember, and we are so very thankful to each and every one of you!
As we approach the end of the year, we can't help but look back at all we have accomplished - together - it's a lot! A favorite of ours was the #GivingTuesday campaign, and seeing the many ways FosterClub has impacted your life... *Grab your tissue!*
"FosterClub has given me the utmost confidence and courage to speak in front of large crowds and overall have the motivation to retain my educational goals due to their numerous inspirational youth-led events. I was able to facilitate workshops which enhanced my communication skills but also assist me in developing professionally. Throughout my self-advocacy with FosterClub, I also had the privilege of establishing a wide network of communication among other youth advocates like myself and many other professionals who work in collaboration with or are a part of the child welfare system." - Tommy, FosterClub Young Leader
"The best part of my job is getting to work with young leaders trained by FosterClub. I recently got to see two alumni presenting to a room of 100+ on the new Family First Prevention Services Act. The alumni elegantly fielded tough questions about in-home prevention services, group homes, and how advocates can impact implementation. They brought the words on the PPT to life with real stories and their passion. Thank you for an awesome and inspiring afternoon." - Jenny Gentry, Casey Family Programs
"FosterClub has given me the opportunity to use my voice to empower other former and/or current foster youth. As well as assist in making policy changes that benefit young people nationwide. I'd like to recognize and thank Celeste, Angel, and Ashley for the one year I spent active in FosterClub as a young leader." - Zule, FosterClub Young Leader
"FosterClub has made me CURIOUS. After my 2016 All-Star Internship and first Annual Board Meeting, I developed a deep curiosity for Policy, Partnerships, and Marketing. I constantly put myself in a mindset of curiosity and environment of learning all due to the conversations and experiences with FosterClub's staff, the board of directors, partners, and advocates." - Cody, FosterClub Board Member
"Well as a therapeutic foster/adopt family FosterClub has given us a place to get information. A place to learn about a new therapy, stories from foster kids that have really helped us with our kids. We are thankful to have this site but mostly we are thankful to have people that care about what we do. Being a foster parent is a hard job and most of the time a thankless one but at the end of the day we know it is a job we would not change for the world. Thank you FosterClub for all the years you have been here to help out family, we are grateful." - Cathie, Therapeutic Foster/Adopt Family
"FosterClub has been amazing at answering my questions and being there for me when I need someone to talk to. All I have to do is give FosterClub an email and I usually get a response really fast. I am a teen foster youth in care with my child so FosterClub has really helped me a lot with answering my questions and getting me the resources I need. I want to give a big thank you to the entire FosterClub community!!!" - Foster Youth
"In the 362 days since I've joined this team, I've had the privilege to interact with youth from across America. They are just like your kids. They are intelligent, resilient, and they want the best in life. Your donations to FosterClub help us support those youth. Provide education, opportunities, and trainings to them and to those who support them. Any donation you make today will be put to great use. Thanks for supporting FosterClub and our youth! " - Nissa Roberts, FosterClub Staff
"FosterClub provided me with the right tools to speak for myself and help others speak for themselves. They gave me the power to use my voice to encourage others in a positive and more impactful way." - Ricky, 2014 FosterClub All-Star
"FosterClub is a national advocacy for the Foster Care Community. FosterClub gave me the ability to own and share my foster care experience that’ll change the way some people think about the system as a whole. Spending those few months in Seaside was life changing for me in numerous areas. I first handedly encountered the impact of what sharing your personal experience can do to others. It can bring faith, encouragement, and guidance by allowing people to share experiences with others and reflecting on them. The foster care community knows that there is someone advocating for the betterment of the entirety with networks like FosterClub." - John, 2016 FosterClub All-Star Intern
"Working at FosterClub is truly my dream job. I get to support an AMAZING team of Staff and Young Leaders who are working to improve the child welfare system by centering the well-being of youth who experience foster care." - Nora Karena, FosterClub Staff
"FosterClub has given me a second family, positive strong female role models that are also down to earth. It has given me a sense of purpose and has allowed me to follow some passions. FosterClub's employees are some of the most passionate and dedicated employees I've ever met. We work so that one day the system will no longer have a need for us. I am not saying it cause I work there but.. I see it in their eyes when working on projects, or in their voice announcing a large order, these people truly care and that my friend - is truly rare." - Kayla Mizar, FosterClub Staff
"FosterClub has been a leader for youth in foster care for over 17 years! This dynamic non-profit works hard and fast to create change and to support so many foster youth." - Meagan, FosterClub Board Member
"What FosterClub means to me... As an alumni of the foster system, former All-Star, Level 2 intern, and former staff member I can think of a thousand things to talk about when someone mentions FosterClub. More recently and by far the most important relationship I have with FosterClub is being a foster informed, foster educated, and FosterClub connected as a foster parent. Being able to introduce young people in my house to the FosterClub community is a feeling that can only be described as magical. I cannot wait to use Foster Cub, FYI binder, and connect the amazingly resilient young people who come and make my house a home to a world of resources that can be found on FosterClub's website, in their publications, and at events they host.
The best way to explain what FosterClub means to me is in the words of Walt Disney... FosterClub is “the most magical place on earth.” The greatest gift that can be given is that of being educated and informed support to youth in foster care. FosterClub helps me make sure I am just that.
Peace, Love, and FosterClub" - Marcus Runkle (Brown), FosterClub Supporter
"I'm so thankful and grateful to work with this amazing group of people - and to meet so many beautiful, inspiring, resilient young leaders - that have overcome more challenges than some people face in a lifetime - that share their voice with the world to inspire EVERYONE - including the future generations of foster youth. Someone you know, or someone you might meet - may NEED to know us. I encourage EVERYONE to get educated about foster care, FosterClub.com can help!" - Emily, FosterClub Staff
If you'd like to share how FosterClub has given to you, leave us a comment or submit here - we would love to hear from you! Feel like donating? Help us reach even more foster youth in 2019! Thanks again for making 2018 one that we will never forget!