Organizational Development

Years ago I was employed as a Family Support Worker in a community-based organization in a section of the city with the highest poverty, teen pregnancy, HIV/STI, drop out, and unemployment rates. Before each family received services I was required to do a home visit. Some of my clients were teen parents and others were […]

Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people “age out” of the U.S. foster care system. Many are only 18 years old, have not experienced consistent nurturing and stability, and still need support and services. Several foster care alumni studies show that without a lifelong connection to a caring adult, these older youth face challenges to

Happy President’s Day!   What If Our President Was a Foster Care Alumni? If the President of the United States was a foster care alumni would 21 become the age that youth exit foster care nationwide? If our President was a foster care alumni would local agencies receives more and not less funding for child

My last blog post focused on ways you can get involved to help teens in foster care thrive. One thing that keeps me motivated and uplifted is music.  Today I want to introduce you to the song (and video) “If I Were Brave” by Jana Stanfield.  I heard this song for the first time just

Survive = to continue to exist or live after Profanity, nonchalant attitudes, defiant behavior, substance abuse, unprotected sex, sexting, lack of motivation, seclusion, running away, and a dozen other actions by teenagers can be symptoms of serious health and mental health conditions.   These behaviors should not be ignored but they may also be coping mechanisms

I didn’t watch any of the Super Bowl this past Sunday! No, I didn’t even tune in for the high priced commercials or to see Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, or Jennifer Hudson.  I don’t live under a rock; I’m just not a football fan.  I am a fan (advocate) of youth in foster care, however.  I

President Barack Obama is sounding the alarm for education reform and the necessity for an increase in college educated citizens to continue to complete on a global scale.  Have you heard the urgent appeals for more students majoring in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)?  Pearson education firm ranks The United States

    I love my iPhone.  I can listen to music, send emails, record my grocery list, post to social media, take photos and A LOT more on a device that fits in my back pocket. In this technology obsessed culture I know that I’m not the only one that often wonders how I got

December 2012 was a month of pride and enlightenment at The Teen Toolbox. We hosted our 6th Annual PACK A PURSE™ Drive and collected and distributed 705 purses and other bags filled with personal hygiene items to teen girls in foster care in 17 organizations.   We were also greatly inspired by the seven women

Latrice Ware was born and raised in Ohio.  She was in kinship care until age 12 and then went into the foster care system at age 13 after her grandmother had a stroke.  Latrice was placed in three foster homes.  Latrice questioned how a stranger could love a child that wasn’t theirs.  Her foster mother’s