Writing Contest
In the most recent Fostering Perspectives writing contest we gave young people in foster care the following prompt: “We want all young people in foster care to feel safe in their foster home. When you feel safe in your home it allows you to feel happier, healthier, do better in school, and reach out for help when you need it. What do your foster parents do to help you feel safe?”
Here’s what they had to say.
1st Place – Ronnie, age 15
I felt scared and nervous when I moved in with my foster family at the age of 10, especially since my birthday was only two weeks away. My stepmother had warned me that they might not treat me as kindly as she would. However, the reality was quite different from what she had said. I have been living with my foster parents for nearly five years and have enjoyed every bit of it. Their kindness made me feel much safer. They allowed me to sleep with their dogs and provided night lights because I was afraid of the dark. They also reassured me that I would have enough food to eat and a roof over my head. I have learned a lot during this time and have had the opportunity to experience things that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. Now that I am 15, I have a better understanding of what a true family looks like and what it means to be loved. I have loved every little bit of being with my family.
Ronnie received $100 for taking top prize in the writing contest.
2nd Place – Aliyah, age 11
So, when I first went into foster care, I feared having to leave my mother behind. But how my foster mom helps me was by mediate when I was sad, mad, upset but I got through it. I would need to talk it out. My foster mom fed me and took good care of me. She treated me like her own daughter. It is hard sometimes graduating the 5th grade and going to middle school. Without my mom there with me. But I will always have my foster mom. Being in foster care for 2 years is hard for me. It hurts a lot like you feel your heart cracking because you miss them so much. But I must get through it me looking back seeing how far I have come, and I don’t want to look back and start the process over of me going home. But I couldn’t imagine someone else in a much worse position than me. I’m sure it hurts them, and it is hard.
Aliyah received $50 for taking second prize.
3rd Place – Kendall, age 15
Feeling safe is really hard when I am not with my mom, who would tuck me in at night. My dad, who would let me crawl in bed with him after a nightmare. My sisters, that I knew would always be there for me through everything. Even though I don’t have that type of safety anymore I still feel safe. My foster parent helps me feel safe by checking on me before I go to sleep at night. She prays for me while I sleep and before we leave the house and that makes me feel safe. I feel safe knowing I have my own space. If I ever need a place to think to myself I have a place to go. My foster parent put me in a private school to keep safe and in a good learning environment that also helps me feel safe. I feel safe knowing my foster parent cares about how I am feeling.
Kendall received $25 for taking third prize.
Le’Andre, age 8
My foster parents help me to do things myself. They tell me what’s right to do and what’s wrong to do. They help teach me self-control and not to pick up my sisters because I could drop them. They give me night lights to help me not be afraid of the dark when I am trying to sleep. Whenever I am unsafe at night I can always go to my foster parent’s room and they can help me feel safe again. Whenever I fall off my bike, my foster dad always helps me get back up and do it again. One of the most scary parts of foster care is having to go to new homes and I worry about my family because I don’t know if they are safe. My foster parents help me get my mind off the worry.
Maria, age 16
Before I wasn’t feeling safe because I did not know what would happen to me the next day and I didn’t really have a voice in what the next step would be. But now thanks to my legal guardians, I have a voice and can just ask them for their opinion or advice. We talk things over and it is ultimately my choice. This gives me a sense of security. I am not blindly stepping into the next day unsure of what is to come. My legal guardians have always been honest and straightforward about things that I need to know. I have also been honest with them and that has built a mutual sense of security and respect. My adopted dad always has my back. No matter what the situation is. He is very protective. My adopted mom worries about my safety and she makes sure that I am not blindly walking into a bad situation. Also, my legal guardians have an emergency contact in place in case anything were to happen to me and I have established a rapport with that person and I trust her.
Paisly, age 10
When I miss my brothers they say it will be ok and they will talk to me and let me know I will see them every month and that comes me down then I feel good about it. Sometimes when I feel like I don’t get what I need in school they help me figure it out and when they feel like I can do it they have faith in me. If something is worrying me, they will talk to me and say that things are gonna be ok and they pray for me. Sometimes when I miss my mom and dad and family, they say things are gonna get better for me and they say it is gonna be hard but I got this and they will pray for me. When I’m happy they are happy to and we do a lot of fun things together that makes me know they love me.
Michaelah, age 12
When I was first put into the system, I was sick with a cold. It was also my 11th birthday. My brother and I were taken to a respite home where there was a lady and her granddaughter. We celebrated my birthday, but all I could do was cry. A couple of weeks later, my brother and I went to live with my older brother. Next thing I knew was my little brother was removed to live with his birth father. It was very hard. I was with my older brother for five months, but his wife was not as fair to me as to her children. I had a choice to stay or leave. I left. Then I went to a foster home for 2 months. It was very uneventful because they didn’t really do anything. I just stayed inside all of the time, and did nothing. Then I went to a wonderful foster home which I am still at. I have a cool room. My foster parents and I often meet up with my baby brother, which is very relieving to keep in contact with him. I really like it here. I feel safe here. I have a lot of friends now at school and my grades are good. My foster parents are very caring, sweet and treat me amazing. I “always” want to stay here!!
TJ, age 11
What makes me feels safe in my house is when my foster parents take me out to eat because it makes me feel like I’m at home. Another reason is their Always beside me so if any thing go’s wrong they can protect me. Another reason is they are a cool family so they won’t let anyone kidnap me. Another reason is they are very fun they love to play board games and video games they make me have a good child hood. Also they love to help me with my home work. Another reason is they take us on big trips like Washington dc. My last reason is when I get mad I still feel safe and they try to help me calm me down.
