The other day a Christmas present came in the mail from my sister Veronica. I have three biological siblings Damon, Veronica and Dominic. At 20 years old, Veronica never ceases to amaze me with her kind heart, snarky realism and ever growing wisdom. She's a radiant person inside and out. She eagerly awaited the arrival of this mug from Together We Rise, knowing how much it would mean to me.
The harsh reality is the holidays can be difficult for kids in the foster care system. It's a jarring reminder of parents who have failed to be parents, of fallen families and needs that never quite feel met. Often, foster care children live out of trash bags going from one foster home to another. Together We Rise is non-profit organization that was created and is run by former foster youth to help address the myriad of problems that affect these young people.
Luckily my time in foster care was limited, until I was eventually fostered by my best friend's family. Not all children are so lucky.
People spend $100s of dollars during this season, I've always thought it is a good practice to donate a portion of our Christmas money to help those less fortunate than ourselves. A toothbrush can go a long way.
There is a strong power that resonates with a young adult who has overcome great adversity. I don't believe that people are fated to live in poverty because of the shortcomings of those who brought them into the world. I do believe, the power is within us all to rise above, to help one another and to provide direction to those yearning to move forward.
Many of us have known people who have been fostered. Do you have a story where good-will changed your life? I'd love to hear them in the comments below.
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Being in Foster Care isn't an easy experience for children. Check out our new video on how we are trying to do our part in making their experience a little easier. Giving Childhood Back #fostercare
Posted by Together We Rise on Tuesday, July 14, 2015