Mari Ramsey
He/Him
1 Year in Care
Mari’s journey in foster care started at 14, and while he had just one placement, it wasn’t an easy ride. As a teenager, navigating the system came with its own emotional struggles, but through it all, Mari found strength in their story. Instead of letting the tough times break him, he turned that pain into motivation, using his experiences to help others heal, find hope, and feel like they belong.
Now an advocate, Mari has worked tirelessly to give back. He served as the Eagle Fly Program Manager at Joy Closet, developing and leading life-skills programs for teens in care, preparing them for adulthood. He now works at a local church, helping build a foster care ministry that supports foster families, adoptive parents, and kinship caregivers.
Mari is also the author of Fostered for Greatness, a book that shares his testimony and encourages youth in care. He has partnered with organizations like For the Children, Foster Families Today Magazine, and Tennessee Kids Belong to amplify youth voices and support families. Currently pursuing certification as a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner, Mari is committed to providing trauma-informed support to families and children.
Looking ahead, Mari plans to launch a nonprofit focused on supporting children in foster care and is excited about growing this mission.
