February Newsletter | Our Standards: Led by Youth, Guided by Experience

Foster Greatness February Newsletter | Finding Networks of Support

Author

Isabel Stasa
February 02, 2026

Every month, we’ll be sharing community updates that include insights from our community, ways to get involve thoughts from Panel Discussions, and our upcoming events for the month!

February 2026

February: Finding Networks of Support

Hi FG Member!

Building Your Network, Finding Your People 🌐

Foster Care creates a world that can feel isolating and a culture that praises hyper-independence, especially after surviving a system that often leaves you to navigate life alone. This month, we’re flipping the script. At Foster Greatness, our core mission is to strengthen the social capital of former foster youth by creating spaces where you don’t just find support, you build lasting, meaningful connections. Because your network isn't just who you know—it’s who truly gets you, champions you, and walks alongside you. Let’s move from isolation to interconnection, together.

2026 is off to a beautiful start in the Foster Greatness Community. 💙 While there is so much more to look forward to as we continue to move forward this year, we always love to give our a community a moment to look back on the incredible connections, relationships, and work we have done together. 🤝 January was a reflection of that work from our first “What I Wish I Knew About…” Panel event to our webinar unpacking the new Executive Order impacting child welfare. Let’s take a look back and then get ready to move into our February vision! 💙 

What I Wish I Knew About Extended Foster Care Panel

Our lived-experience alumni shared raw, real reflections about the complexities of extended foster care and the support they wish they’d had. This powerful conversation underscored that knowledge is community, and no one should navigate these systems alone.

'Fostering the Future' in Practice: Centering Lived Experience

We dove deep into how the new Executive Order on foster care and the potential for progress or setbacks. This discussion was intentional to be sure that as organizations move forward toward implementation of this new order, the voices of those directly impacted are at the center of implementation and direction.

Lived Experience Member Reflection 💭

❝

My experience with Foster Greatness has been such a blessing, this organization really cares and helps ex foster youth with many resources to help navigate life, school, challenges and finances.

- Eryka M.

Resource Highlight 🔎

❤️‍🩹 A Book on Grief & Loss from Foster Care Alumni! Rimy Morris

Our very own just published a stunning new book of poetry called "And If 'Ok' Never Comes." Rimy guides us through the complex, non-linear terrain of grief with such honesty and vivid emotion that it feels less like reading, and more like walking beside a friend in real time. If you've ever needed a companion through loss, or simply appreciate courageous writing, please check out Rimy's book!

Partnerships 🤝

💼 Str8Up Employment Services: Thriver Pathways Program

We’re officially launching our debut Thriver Pathways Program in partnership with Str8Up Employment Services! This cohort-based career development program was designed by people with lived experience and will guide you through understanding your strengths, navigating workplace rights, and mapping your professional future. Over the next two months, we’ll meet every other week, and upon completion, members will connect with a Career Advisor through our partners at Staffmark and receive a $100 award for career readiness needs.

Upcoming Events 📅

Black History, Foster Care, and Community

Black history and lives have long been shaped and impacted at disproportionate rates through child welfare. In many ways, child welfare movements today and advocacy efforts often dream about the future and opportunities to improve the lives of children and families. It is not that often that the conversation carefully focuses on our history to honor our progress and recognize our shortcomings as a system. In honor of Black History Month, we are bringing together voices of those with lived experience in foster care to dive into the history of child welfare, how foster care has shaped their families and communities, and the unique power of connection.

Webinar: Partnering for Impact with Cetera

Join us for a special webinar with our partners at Cetera to celebrate our shared mission and explore the powerful tools inside the Foster Greatness platform. We’ll showcase how this collaboration brings direct support and community connection to foster youth in Tampa Bay and beyond. This is your inside look at how partnership turns into real-world support!

Film & Panel: "Truth to Transformation" Screening with Str8Up

Grab your popcorn for a powerful virtual screening of the documentary "Truth to Transformation," followed by a LIVE panel with the former foster youth featured in the film. We’ll unpack their journeys from foster care to advocacy and artistry in a raw conversation about resilience, voice, and healing. Don’t miss this night of storytelling, insight, and deep connection.

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.