There are great trees filled with leaves that are very beautiful, gorgeous, and precious. Each leaf is shaped uniquely, and it is astounding to notice how, although they are each...
People say, “brothers are forever." That they will, “always be by your side, no matter what.” Of course that's what they say; it's just hard to believe. It's hard to...
“Just give it another try.” I heard it many times. Sibling visits were something I despised. My siblings had been precious to me in the moment of removal from our...
Failed Adoption wasn't the end of my story! It was the beginning of having my dreams come true. Child welfare calls an adoption that ends before it is finalized a...
Sibling (noun) - A partner in crime; an individual who holds your secrets. This is a definition I wish I would have been able to connect to. A wise person...
Cassidy spent her early years in the Texas foster care system (over 2,000 days in care!). At age 6, she was adopted by Jenn McKown. She started doing Musical Theater...
Demetrius Jackson was the all-time leading scorer in St. Joseph County with 1,934 career points and the first McDonald’s All-American from northern Indiana since future NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp earned...
Imagine having your name chosen by your caseworker by the spinning of her contact Rolodex. At the Shoulder to Shoulder conference, I heard the powerful message that we are all...
Permanency: lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely. That is the dictionary definition of the word. However, in the perspective of a foster youth, permanency has no set...
Growing up in my grandmothers 1 bedroom trailer, living on the back balcony which we converted into my brother and Is room wasn’t all that bad. My biological mother is...