Writing Contest: Someone I Can Count On
In the most recent Fostering Perspectives writing contest we gave young people in foster care the following prompt: “They say having at least one adult that you feel close to and can really depend on can make a big difference when you are in foster care. If you have a person like that in your life, tell us a little about them and why they’re special to you.”
Here’s what they had to say.
1st Place – Terah, age 15
I do indeed have an adult I feel close to and can depend on. Her name is Oshimma Daye, and she’s my foster mother. She’s extremely special to me and here’s why.
Ms. O’s honesty makes me feel comfortable to open up about myself.
“Ms. O,” as I call her, is important to me because she is a genuinely good person. She’s not the type to be two-faced with you and she’s always honest. Because of this, we really click. Her honesty towards me makes me feel more comfortable to open up about myself. She’s very accepting and if something makes me happy, it makes her happy.
O’s a people-pleaser: she puts others’ comfort before her own. She treats me like I’ve been here for years when it hasn’t even been one. Any issues I have, she helps me solve them as if they were her problems. I love that.
Above all, “Osha” is so special to me because of her ability to see the good in everyone. She lets me be myself and she’s truly the best foster mom I could’ve been placed with. I’m excited to see how our pair takes on life in the future!
Terah received $100 for taking top prize in the writing contest.
2nd Place – Taelynn, age 20
I met Lori Daiker when I got admitted here at the Black Mountain Children’s Home Independent Living program.
If I called Lori at 3 a.m., she would answer. If I just needed to rant or support or someone to remind me to pray, she was the one I called.
From the first day I met her she was so welcoming and just always had a smile on her face. Sometimes I think that maybe all someone needs to make their day is to see a welcoming smile and to know that there’s positivity in the room.
Another characteristic I genuinely love about Lori is that she is so easy to talk to. If I called her at 3 a.m., she would answer. If I just needed to rant or support or someone to remind me to pray, she was the one I called. Anytime I need motivation or someone to let me know that everything is going to be okay, Lori Daiker is the one to talk to. She has always been here for me from day one, and I will forever be grateful for that. She doesn’t judge me. If anything, she understands. Lori has been through a lot. She is one of the strongest people I am privileged to have gotten to know!
Taelynn received $50 for taking second prize.
3rd Place – Faith, age 16
My group home staff, Ms. Aly has done so much for me; she helped and continues to help me with my attitude, my actions, and my words when I get mad. It is hard, very HARD.
When you do decide to listen to what Ms. Aly is saying, it helps you.
She keeps me on track most of the time. When you do decide to listen to what she is saying, it helps you no matter how mad it’ll make you. She tells you, “things to help you, not to hurt you.” Ms. Aly is such a generous person. She is the one to give you the shirt off her back. I consider her family. She cares about the kids that come through the group home that cause major problems. Ms. Aly has recently gone back to school to obtain her CNA and had to cut her hours back drastically. I won’t get to see her like I used to, and it makes me very upset; but I know how for six years she’s worked with teens to get them where they want to be, and now she needs to do the same for herself. Ms. Aly, you do for us—now do you!
Faith received $25 for taking third prize.
Holly, age 18
My brother shares the same blood that flows through my veins. He and I have been in and out of many unfortunate circumstances.
My brother has been the only constant in my entire life . . . . Both the mistreatment that I have faced and the smiling moments that I have had, I have shared with him.
He has never abandoned me or neglected me. Both the mistreatment that I have faced and the smiling moments that I have had, I have shared with him. A time that usually has me feeling down is when the people in the foster homes make me feel alienated or neglected. I immediately find comfort in [my brother] because we both typically go through the same experiences and we can relate to one another. . . . I know I can rely on my brother to be there for me.
