In a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Danny and Ashley Smith shared their journey engaging foster care and reflected on insights learned along the way. Interestingly, their fostering journey began not with a calling, but with practicality—a job…
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.–Helen Keller This powerful quote by Keller could well describe the life of Ariana Rodriguez. Ariana…
A recent episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast featured a lively conversation around America’s Kids Belong’s new and exciting initiative called “Fostering Front Door.” Indiana Kids Belong State Manager, Laura Mobley joined the podcast and shared the vision behind this…
As America’s Kids Belong embarks on our second decade of working to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids and families involved in foster care, we long for the day when foster care is no longer needed, But as…
“When the elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.” African Proverb Brian Mavis expounded on this quote in a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast: “When the big sectors, when they’re not cooperating with each other and they’re not…
As America’s Kids Belong celebrates its 10th year anniversary, we look back at this post from Co-Founder and Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Brian Mavis. Brian’s encounter with Cindy would become a catalyzing moment that helped inspire the start of…
While adoption from foster care does happen, current statistics show that less than 30% of exits from foster care are due to adoption (AFCARS Report). America’s Kids Belong’s I Belong Project amplifies the stories, faces, and voices of kids in…
We are soon approaching one year since the launch of The Foster Friendly Podcast. While that is something we’re proud of as a new platform to help inspire, resource, and equip folks nationwide–we’re celebrating something much bigger this month at…
We envision seeing gains in recruited and better supported foster families giving much needed stability to kids in foster care whose lives are upended in uncertainty as they await unknown outcomes with their birth families. We envision creating a culture…
Being in foster care often means a child is living through a painful story, suspended in time; awaiting uncertain outcomes; dealing with layers of trauma; commonly facing separation from siblings; coping with other layers loss (even if temporarily) of extended…
When we think about the foster care system, we often focus on the children whose lives are being shaped by the experience and the families opening their hearts and homes. However, there are unseen heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes…
(Guest blog- Abby Crooks) Have you ever played in the ocean and you’re floating and diving in the waves and then suddenly when you look up you’re nowhere near your friends and family on shore where you got in? As…
