It’s the season of LOVE!

Can you believe we are already a whole month in to 2025? We can’t either, but we are so excited for all we have in store for YOU this February! 2025 is bound to be filled with many great things in the Foster Greatness Community, and we want you to be part of it all.

This month, we honor Black History and intentionally reflect on the history of the child welfare system, the power of rest, and the significance that community holds. We welcome the season of love and are ready to offer events that remind us that love begins with self and community. Get ready for a remarkable February with Foster Greatness!

We’re so grateful for our incredible community of supporters, partners, and most importantly, the foster youth and alumni who inspire, inform, and lead everything we do.

Important Acknowledgements:

In response to recent executive orders:

Before we continue, we want to use this opportunity to again acknowledge that recent executive orders have greatly impacted and harmed our community. Federal funding halts have caused fear, instability, and more for many of our community members—advocates and those with lived experience alike. Executive orders targeting LGBTQIA2S+ individuals have, understandably, caused fear and harm to many people in our community. Executive orders targeting immigrants and DEI has threatened and jeopardized the safety of our community members and supporters.

If recent executive orders have left you feeling targeted, unheard, or afraid, please know you are not alone. We want our community members, friends, and family to know this: You are loved, you are supported, and you are proudly welcomed here.

We are here to help connect you to resources, provide support, and stand with you during this time. Whatever you need, Foster Greatness is here for you.

Federal Funding Freeze

This week, a sudden federal funding freeze halted critical programs and services funded by federal grants, sending shockwaves through the child welfare community. Former foster youth and community members were left fearing job loss, abrupt service disruptions, and retraumatization.

Though the freeze has been lifted, the damage remains. This moment exposed the fragility of support systems meant to serve the most vulnerable.

Foster Greatness is hosting a public panel on February 17th from 12-2PM PST | 3-5 PM EST to bring together foster alumni and sector leaders to reflect on this crisis and demand accountability and action from public administrators to prevent this from happening again.

🗓️ Save the date. Join the conversation. Be part of the change.

Building Unshakeable Resilience with MDDTSpeaks!

January was a month filled with many, many transitions. We know that our community of former and current foster youth are all too familiar with change, adapting, and transitioning. We acknowledge that former and current foster youth are then deemed ‘resilient’ in response to their ability to adapt in almost any situation. Our understanding of resilience as professionals is therefore often overlooking the harsh realities of our community members and, potentially, offering an indirect excuse for allowing or fueling some of the harsh treatment young people experience at the hands of the foster system.

This month, we were privileged to have Michael D. Davis-Thomas (MDDTSpeaks) host a workshop with Foster Greatness on the truth behind resilience. Michael presented his 5 TOP TIPS for building authentic resilience that feels true to the stories and realities of foster youth. Participants shared in meaningful conversation on the idea of resilience and ways to build it together from a positive place. If you think you missed the opportunity to engage or listen in, you didn’t! Click the episode above to tune in!

Entrepreneur Feature

We’ve got a jam packed schedule this February! We’re featuring a few events inspired by self-care and rest. As well as hosting an invigorating panel discussion in honor of Black History Month! Check them out below to RSVP!

Upcoming Thriver Stories Episodes!

In this episode of Thrivers Stories Podcast, host Isabel Stasa speaks with Tay Lee, a former foster youth, about her experiences navigating transitions in life, particularly through the foster system and into adulthood. Tay shares her unique perspective on entering foster care as an older youth, the challenges of adapting to structured environments, and the emotional impact of transitioning out of care and into college life.

The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy, support systems, and the struggles faced by young adults in similar situations. This conversation explores the challenges faced by individuals transitioning from foster care to college life. It highlights the emotional struggles, the need for accountability, and the importance of support systems. The speakers share personal experiences of navigating freedom, processing past traumas, and finding stability in new environments.

In this conversation, Isabel Stasa and Michael D. Davis-Thomas discuss the challenges and transitions of life, focusing on self-care, resilience, and the role of faith in Michael’s journey. Michael shares his journey of advocacy, the impact of grief from his family relationships, and the significance of understanding one's past to foster healing. They explore the complexities of grief, the necessity of self-care, and the process of reconnecting with family while maintaining personal boundaries.

In this conversation, MDDTSpeaks shares his journey of reconnecting with family, navigating trauma, and the importance of forgiveness and self-care. He discusses the complexities of familial relationships shaped by past experiences and emphasizes the need for intentional communication and healing. Michael reflects on his childhood, the impact of trauma, and how he has transformed his pain into a source of strength and resilience. He offers insights on the necessity of self-care and healing as fundamental aspects of life, encouraging listeners to prioritize their well-being and embrace their journeys.

Foster Greatness’s mission is to co-create a dynamic platform with people directly impacted by the foster system to set the standard of empowerment and support. We are providing accessible, authentic connections and support by creating a lived-experience led platform. Our vision for every person who is and has been directly impacted by the foster system to feel empowered and supported.