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Our Standards: Led by Youth, Guided by Experience
Foster Greatness December Newsletter | Relationships
Isabel Stasa
December 01, 2024
Our Standards:
Led By Youth, Guided by Experience
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!
December 2024
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November: All About Relationships
Hi FG Member!
November was one of Foster Greatness’ busiest months yet! We cannot believe we are approaching the end of the 2024 year and the end of our first year as an organization! 🩵 We are beyond grateful for our team that makes our organization run, the Lived Experience Leaders that drive our mission every day, and supporters like YOU who believe in making a transformational impact to the way we empower and support those directly impacted by the foster system.
Throughout the month of November, we shared in deep, powerful conversations on our Thriver Stories Podcast. Our November theme centered on relationships of all kinds through the lens of those who have experienced the foster system as children. Carloe Moser, Rimy Morris, and Jas Snell joined us to share about their experiences with relationships through their childhood and the work they have had to do to repair their perspectives and approaches to relationships as adults. Check out their stories below!
 | 👉️ Carlo Moser talks about the challenges of relationships, especially for people who’ve been through tough times like foster care or trauma. They discuss how our past shapes who we are, the importance of understanding others, and the courage to be open and honest. |
 | 👉️ Rimy Morris discusses the complexities of relationships within the foster care system. They explore how unique family dynamics can flourish despite societal expectations, the importance of communication and grace, and the role of older siblings in navigating the child welfare system. |
 | 👉️ Jas Snell explores the intricacies of relationships within the foster care system. They discuss how early experiences shape our understanding of trust and vulnerability, the vital role of informal relationships, and the mindset shifts necessary for fostering healthy connections. |
Foster Greatness is deeply moved by the dedication of our community of Lived Experience Leaders that continue to contribute to bettering the child welfare space all across the nation. We are honored to be part of this community and trusted with the stories of those we value most. While this month wraps up our Thriver Stories Podcast for the 2024 year, we will be back in 2025 with even more truths to share and knowledge to spread!
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.
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Carloe Moser, Rimy Morris & Jas Snell join Foster Greatness to discuss “Embracing Changing and Dynamic Relationships in the Foster System.”
In November, we were joined by experts Carloe Moser, Rimy Morris, and Jas Snell to share in meaningful conversation around relationships, community, and embracing new perspectives after foster care. Carloe, Rimy, and Jas all shared how foster care influenced their perceptions of relationships. From believing no one would ever be able to love them properly to a deep fear that something was ‘wrong’ with them, they all highlight the negative impact foster care had on how they viewed relationships.
But they didn’t stop there! Our three Thrivers went on to offer insights into what makes a relationship “transformative” - leading us to see they are essential for us to thrive. Rimy shared about the power of CHOICE in relationships and the necessity to prioritize relationships in program designs to increase effectiveness and trust. Jas shared her insights into what people and organizations supporting current and former foster youth can do to empower and strengthen relationships. Carloe reflected on his relationship with his wife and the internal growth he had to go through to establish a beautiful, life-long connection.
What Else is New? 🤔
Seed to CEO with Jenni’s Flower
Foster Greatness strives to uplift the work, ideas, and stories of our community members who have spent time in the foster system. This month, we’ve officially partnered with Jenni’s Flower—a youth-founded and youth-led nonprofit youth impacted by the foster system to bloom to their highest potential.
Through our Founder’s Chat Entrepreneur monthly meetings—hosted by Mark Dusseau—we’ve been able to create a cohort space to support the Seed to CEO program designed by Jenni’s Flower. Our space serves as an immersive digital hub for the Seed to CEO entrepreneurs to develop purposeful relationships and collaborate in a specialized environment! We cannot wait to see what blooms from this program!
2024 Jim Casey Initiative Network Convening
Foster Greatness was honored to have had our very own team member invited to attend the 2024 Jim Casey Initiative Network Convening. The Jim Casey Initiative is a well-known national effort to ensure young people- ages 14-26 who have spent at least one day in foster care after their 14th birthday have the resources, relationships, and opportunities to achieve success. This convening brought together Casey site partners, young people, and national partners to celebrate each other and our impact. We were privileged to share space with leaders all across the nation who are steadfast in their commitment to improving the foster system.
Through reflection on the history of the foster and child welfare systems presented by the American Bar Association and Mining for Gold, we were all reminded of the importance to know and understand what has led to the current arrangement of the foster system. We were honored to make invaluable connections with Lived Experience Experts and kick-off partnerships with other organizations sharing in a mission to empower and support our community. We’re ready to continue Fostering Greatness, together!
Thanksgiving Community Cooking Event 🥘
On November 15th, Foster Greatness—in partnership with EatWell and One Simple Wish—was joined by more than 20 individuals who have spent time in foster care all across the nation for our Community Cooking Event! 🦃 The event was filled with laughter, joy, learning, and an overwhelming sense of community and gratitude. 🍗
We recognize that the holiday season is about to begin and that this time of year can be especially isolating for our community members with lived experience. The reflections of those who attended proved that spaces like this are monumental in showing up for, supporting, and creating a sense of belonging for those who exit the system without permanent connections.
We heard from the community that, for some of them, this was their first year ever celebrating the holidays because of foster care. 🎄 Others shared how they struggle with food insecurity and how this time of year serves as a stark reminder of just how far the system left them behind. Others shared how this space felt comforting, trusting, and how they couldn’t wait for future events just like this.
Foster Greatness could not have hosted this event without the support of One Simple Wish and Eat Well. We know that this event has brought joy, nutrition, and value to the lives of our community members. We are honored to have such wonderful partners to serve in this work.
Upcoming Theme and Events 📆
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.