About the author: My name is Samantha and I am Aspiranet’s Program Manager for THP-Plus and HPRPin Fresno. For the last 1 ½ years, I have helped youth emancipating from foster care successfully transition to adulthood. I have spent my career as a social worker (15 years!), working with children and families who need help in healing, even though the task often seems giant and the hurt is incredible. Seeing a child get the chance for a better life makes the challenges seem small and the hard work well-worth it. You can connect with me on facebook or twitter.
One of the most
powerful teaching tools I have encountered in providing services to youth has
been listening to their experiences and learning from their journeys. Nothing is as impactful as hearing former
foster youth recount their stories from foster care and the incredible lengths
they’ve gone to overcome their personal hardships.
Many times, the
emotions evident in stories shared have a way of touching the heart and
bringing tears to your eyes. For me as a
parent, it often reminds me of how protective I am of my own child, and how
hard it is to hear of a child who has had to experience unnecessary
trauma.
I encourage
everyone providing direct services or care to foster youth to come
experience first-hand the power that story-telling has in shaping
the work we do with foster youth.
We have two events
coming up in the next couple of months in Fresno where you can hear directly
from emancipated foster youth, as well as experts in the field of foster youth
transitions to adulthood. Former foster youth will conduct panels and recount
their stories, helping us to more clearly see the obstacles they have faced
related to obtaining higher education and becoming independent. Each event will explore the need for ongoing
support into adulthood and the importance of permanency for foster youth.
Beyond Surviving to Thriving
The first event,
“Beyond Surviving to Thriving: FosteringConnections to Success – AB12” will be held at the University Square Hotel, April 27, 2012 ,
from 8 am to 4:45 pm. This 13th
annual Child Welfare Symposium is sponsored by California State
University Fresno ’s Title IV-E Child
Welfare Program, and Department of Social Work Education.
Keynote speakers
include Nan Henderson, who will discuss resiliency and positive youth
development; Mark Courtney, affiliate scholar from the University of Chicago,
discussing his work surrounding the adult functioning of former foster
children; and Angie Schwartz, director
of the Alliance
for Children’s Rights, to speak on AB12 legislation. Visit the CSU Fresno Social Work website for additional information.
Permanency for Older Youth
The second event is
hosted by Aspiranet, in partnership with the California Department of Social
Services, and will be held at the Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center
(formerly Grand Occasions) June 21, 2012, from 9 am to 3 pm This 5th annual youth event,
“Partners in Permanency: Walking the Journey Together” will focus on
permanency for older youth.
Keynote speaker
Deborah Gray, clinical social worker and renowned author, will discuss how
trauma affects children’s attachment, and share practical methods for parents
and professionals to help make the connection with youth. Alfonzo Tucker, a
former foster youth and author, will lead a break out session for youth, and
share his experience in foster care and how he was able to build support
systems on his journey. Visit www.aspiranettransitions.org or contact Kathy Steele
at 559-222-4969
for further information.
Please join us at
one or both of these events. If you do plan on attending, be sure to let us know on facebook and recommend the event to your colleagues and friends.
These
courageous youth are models to us all. They show us that there is hope in some
of the darkest places, and we can accomplish so much when we dig deep.
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