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

Foster Greatness January Newsletter | Relationships

Every month, we’ll be sharing community updates that include insights from our Thriver Stories, thoughts from Panel Discussions and our Theme Release for the following month!

January 2025

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January: The Nuance of Transitions

Hi FG Member!

Welcome to 2025!

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we’re filled with hope, gratitude, and excitement for what lies ahead. Here at Foster Greatness, we know the power of beginnings – the fresh start of a new year, the opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been, and the chance to dream about where we’re headed.

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. Let’s make this year one of growth, connection, and continued transformation, together.

Our 2024 Impact

Before we dive into what’s ahead, we want to take a moment to celebrate what we accomplished together in 2024. It was a year of progress, resilience, and impact. From empowering youth through workshops and panels to expanding resources and building bridges for support, 2024 showed us that change is possible when we come together.

Stay tuned for an in depth report of the milestones we achieved and the lives we touched – thanks to you.

Gingerbread House Party!

We closed out 2024 with a sprinkle of creativity, connection, and holiday cheer at our Gingerbread House Contest Party! This event wasn’t just about frosting and candy; it was about creating a space for joy and community during a season that can be especially challenging for foster youth. The laughter, teamwork, and stunning gingerbread creations reminded us of the warmth that comes from coming together. Let’s take a look back at this sweet celebration.

Holiday Wishes!

Photos from our Community Members

This holiday season, we were blessed to be a Community Partner with One Simple Wish to bring joy and support to former foster youth across the country. Through our Resource Team, we collected holiday wish list items from individuals who have been in foster care and connected them with One Simple Wish. We are so grateful for One Simple Wish’s partnership and their dedication to uplifting our community not just during the holidays but all year long.

We know this season can be a difficult time, marked by loneliness or isolation, which is why we are proud to help our community members access the resources they need to bring a little extra joy and comfort into their lives. Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this initiative a success – your generosity made a world of difference.

Meet the FG Full Time Team!

Every movement is powered by passionate people, and Foster Greatness is no exception. Our team of four brings unique perspectives, lived experiences, and unwavering dedication to supporting foster youth and their advocates. We’re thrilled to introduce the heart behind our mission – the individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that our community has the resources, opportunities, and care they deserve. Get to know us, and see why we’re so proud to have them on this journey.

Personal connection to foster care, passionate about systemic change, and experienced in fostering community initiatives. Manages teams, donor funding and outreach communications.

First-gen graduate with distinction from The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Roles include Foster Youth Policy Consultant, Senate Intern, Public Speaker, and National Foster Youth Advocate. Hosts panels, workshops, and fosters an active community. Foster Care Alumni.

Worked with non-profits to empower and support vulnerable youth populations. Skilled and passionate about family reunification, reducing homelessness and supporting foster parents. Assists in wish granting and tailored support requests. Foster Care Alumni.

Background in Graphic Design, prior work involved designing decks, packages and user processes for DGW Branded’s Fortune 500 clients. Created structure & user experience for the community.

As we set our sights on 2025, our focus remains on creating meaningful change and ensuring every foster youth and alumni feels seen, supported, and empowered.

This January, we’re centering our efforts on transitions. The start of a new year often brings reflection and change, but for those in the foster care community, leaving the holiday season can feel isolating and overwhelming.

We’re here to provide resources, community, and encouragement to make these transitions a little smoother. Thank you for being part of our story – together, we’ll continue to build a future full of hope and opportunity. Here’s to a transformative year ahead!

Interested in being featured in a Thriver Story and participating in an engaging panel discussion? 🎙️ 

We are actively seeking new and inspiring guests with lived experience in the foster system to uplift their voices and stories on the Thriver Stories podcast! If you have a story to share, we would love to hear from you. Simply fill out the form provided above, and we will get back to you with the next steps in the process. ✏️ 

Our Thriver Stories podcast is dedicated to highlighting the voices of individuals who have lived experience in the foster system. We aim to provide a platform for these individuals to share their unique experiences and personal journeys, all revolving around a specific topic of their choice. 💙 

Participants are compensated for the time and contribution they make on our podcast show and panel conversations.

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.