Our fifth blog post in our National Foster Care Awareness Month blog series dedicated to teen males in foster care focuses on fatherhood. Dyral Brown is the single, foster father of two teen males ages 14 and 16. As a young professional, Dyral realized that he could connect with and have a positive influence on
Dyral – Discipline, Expectation, and Foster Fatherhood Read More »
Today we continue our National Foster Care Awareness Month blog series on teen males in foster care by addressing mental health. Toni Hoy and her family have endured separation, loss of parental rights, and criminalization by the system put in place to protect children. Toni’s son, Daniel, has been placed in the Illinois foster care
Toni – Foster-Adopt Mother, Advocate, and Author Read More »
Dorothy Cordero has been a foster mother for many years. I interviewed Dorothy and her foster son, Chris, for The Teen Toolbox National Foster Care Month blog series on teen males in foster care. Chris has been a part of Dorothy’s family for six years. There are two other male foster teens living in the
Dorothy – Foster Mom, Youth Advocate, Role Model Read More »
Chris Nixon has resided in the home of Dorothy Cordero for the past six years. They were referred to me through KidsPeace, a private charity dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, families and communities. I interviewed them together for The Teen Toolbox National Foster Care Awareness blog series on
Chris – Being A Foster Child Gave Me Opportunity Read More »
May is National Foster Care Awareness and The Teen Toolbox will dedicate our blog as a platform for teen males in the foster care system to share their stories of triumph and success. Ronald Hennig is focused, motivated, and wise beyond his years. He is a soon to-be 18 year old male in the
Ronald – Foster Care Teen, Advocate, and Volunteer Read More »
You may have read my last blog about empowering youth to take calculated risks. One way to improve critical thinking skills and to encourage calculated risk taking is through reading regularly. Reading is preparation for the future. We cannot put a price tag on the value of a quality education. No child can be
Reading Means The World Is Your Classroom Read More »
The teen years are often characterized by impulsive behavior and unwise choices. Statistics tell us that many teens engage in unprotected sex, binge drinking, drug use, and violent altercations – dangerous risks. Of course this is not the case for everyone and I choose to focus on the notion that we can help youth take
Are Your Teens Calculated Risk Takers? Read More »
Student Service Learning versus Community Service Student Service Learning (SSL) is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning. SSL includes phases of preparation, action, and reflection. Two of the best practices in service learning recognized in the state of Maryland are that the student achieves curricular objectives and the
Global Youth Service Day Project Idea: Pack A Backpack™ Read More »
I tuned in to Oprah’s Lifeclass: The Tour with Bishop TD Jakes this past Monday night and was delighted to learn about Jimmy Graham, tight end for the NFL New Orleans Saints. I’m not a football fan but I am an advocate for youth in foster care and I was captivated as Jimmy shared his
Jimmy Graham: From Foster Care to Statistic Breaker Read More »
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit. Rest if you must, But don’t you quit. Life is queer
Believe in You, Don’t Quit (Poem) Read More »