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No Boomerang When You Age Out of Foster Care

By Nicki Sanders | Jul 19, 2012 | Comments Off on No Boomerang When You Age Out of Foster Care

The results of a poll conducted by the consulting firm Twentysomething, Inc. states that roughly 85% of recent college graduates planned to return to their parent’s home.  “Boomerang kids” as they are now known are adults who left home for education or work and due their inability to find well-paying jobs have had to return […]

Be A Part Of A Group, Not A Group Home

By Nicki Sanders | Jul 17, 2012 | Comments Off on Be A Part Of A Group, Not A Group Home

We all want to belong – to be accepted in a group.  We want to socialize and hang out with people with whom we have common interests.  These desires play out in different ways – enjoying a sleepover with friends, good times sharing a cabin at summer camp, and partying in a college dorm room.  […]

WATCH (poem)

By Nicki Sanders | Jul 12, 2012 | Comments Off on WATCH (poem)

WATCH (poem) By Frank Outlaw   Watch your thoughts, for they become words.   Watch your words, for they become actions.   Watch your actions, for they become habits.   Watch your habits, for they become character.   Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.  

Become a Mandela Day Changemaker

By Nicki Sanders | Jul 10, 2012 | Comments Off on Become a Mandela Day Changemaker

What is Mandela Day? – Following the success of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations in London’s Hyde Park in June 2008, a decision was made to celebrate Mr. Mandela’s birthday each year with a day dedicated to his life’s work and that of his charitable organizations, and to ensure his legacy continues forever.    The […]

Happy Independence Day When You Age Out of Foster Care?

By Nicki Sanders | Jul 5, 2012 | Comments Off on Happy Independence Day When You Age Out of Foster Care?

How did you celebrate the birthday of The United States of America? Cookout? Parade? Did your Independence Day festivities end with a spectacular fireworks show? Independence Day for many teens in the foster care system comes on their 18th or 21st birthday. Last year on my daughter’s 18th birthday there was a major, unexpected east […]

Winner’s Blueprint for Achievement

By Nicki Sanders | Jul 3, 2012 | Comments Off on Winner’s Blueprint for Achievement

WINNER’S BLUEPRINT FOR ACHIEVEMENT By William Arthur Ward BELIEVE while others are doubting. PLAN while others are playing. STUDY while others are sleeping. DECIDE while others are delaying. PREPARE while others are daydreaming. BEGIN while others are procrastinating. WORK while others are wishing. SAVE while others are wasting. LISTEN while others are talking. SMILE while […]

Show You Care Before They Exit Foster Care

By Nicki Sanders | Jun 28, 2012 | Comments Off on Show You Care Before They Exit Foster Care

Approximately 20,000 youth age out of foster care every year without a permanent family.  Other youth are discharged from foster care before the age of age 18 and reunite with their biological families. Their family connections are often weak and these young people may quickly find themselves without a stable place to live. Another group […]

Are Your Teens Taking Charge?

By Nicki Sanders | Jun 26, 2012 | Comments Off on Are Your Teens Taking Charge?

The Teen Toolbox provides “tools for teens to take charge”. We are huge proponents of the positive youth development model. In its simplest form positive youth development means that instead of focusing on risk factors and deficits, we focus on the strength and promise in youth. The positive youth development model suggests that helping youth […]

You Want Me To Adopt A Teen From Foster Care?

By Nicki Sanders | Jun 21, 2012 | Comments Off on You Want Me To Adopt A Teen From Foster Care?

If you spent your teen years like the average teenager, trying desperately to exercise your independence and separate yourself from your parents/families you may not understand why a 17 or 18 year old in foster care may want to be adopted.  If the primary goals for you or your friends as teenagers were to obtain […]