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Happy Thanksgiving 2012

By Nicki Sanders | Nov 22, 2012 | Comments Off on Happy Thanksgiving 2012

I admit that it upsets me when Christmas decorations line the store shelves at the same time as Halloween decorations.  Commercialization can not only bombard us make us forget the real meaning of the Christmas season, but if we aren’t careful we can forget about Thanksgiving as well.  There are very few Thanksgiving movies on […]

Seeking Successful Female Foster Care Alumni

By Nicki Sanders | Nov 20, 2012 | Comments Off on Seeking Successful Female Foster Care Alumni

2012 marks the 6th year for our Annual Pack A Purse Holiday Drive to support teen girls in foster care.  Through the generosity of amazing donors, we have collected and donated a total of 951 purses to twenty-five organizations over the past five years.  This December we will use our blog as a platform to spread […]

What Am I Afraid To Tell You?

By Nicki Sanders | Nov 15, 2012 | Comments Off on What Am I Afraid To Tell You?

What am I afraid to tell you? That’s a loaded question isn’t it?    What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell their biological parent?   What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell their social worker?   What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell […]

Where Can I Volunteer?

By Nicki Sanders | Nov 13, 2012 | Comments Off on Where Can I Volunteer?

I get many calls and emails from teens and parents who want or need community service hours.  I love those calls because I believe we all have something to contribute and we should share our talents to make the world a better place.    The Teen Toolbox sponsors two annual service opportunities to raise awareness about […]

National Adoption Month and SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month

By Nicki Sanders | Nov 8, 2012 | Comments Off on National Adoption Month and SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month

Our “SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month” feature recognizes a teen in foster care that is making a positive impact in their community.  This feature allows us to highlight the best in our young people and show that when given support and opportunity, youth can change the world. I created SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month to eliminate negative […]

Foster Care and Politics

By Nicki Sanders | Nov 6, 2012 | Comments Off on Foster Care and Politics

Today is the day — Election Day 2012. Are you ready to exercise your civic duty today?  Maybe you took advantage of early voting in your state like I did.  Regardless of your party affiliation or selected presidential candidate I urge you today to let your voice be heard.  The ability to vote is a […]

Celebrate National Adoption Month 2012

By Nicki Sanders | Nov 1, 2012 | Comments Off on Celebrate National Adoption Month 2012

November is National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month has been celebrated for 17 years.  Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to […]

Every Teen Girl In Foster Care Deserves A Special Purse

By Nicki Sanders | Oct 30, 2012 | Comments Off on Every Teen Girl In Foster Care Deserves A Special Purse

A woman’s purse symbolizes her pride, personality, and purpose.  A purse can also be a status symbol.  A study of 2000 women in the United Kingdom by Special K Mini Breaks found that the average woman has 7 handbags.  According to the UK poll, women are emotionally tied to their handbags.  Sixteen percent of the […]

Donte Young – SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month Update

By Nicki Sanders | Oct 25, 2012 | Comments Off on Donte Young – SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month Update

With our SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month relaunch we will feature youth, ages 14-21, who are currently in foster care.  In June 2008, we featured Donte Young as our SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month.  He was a high school sophomore, Chaplain of his high school’s the Student Government Association and member of the Praise Team.  Donte […]