In a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Kate Angelo shared about her journey in foster care and lessons and insights she’s learned along the way. She faced a tumultuous childhood filled with challenges that many would find overwhelming and nearly insurmountable. Yet, through her own courage, resilience, and still being able to find hope in the everyday, she saw her life blossom into exciting possibilities and new chapters. Speaking of chapters, her insatiable appetite for reading as a child became a powerful catalyst for opening her imagination and coping with the difficult days of her youth.
Kate’s love for reading began with a Stephen King novel, which opened her eyes to the world of deep storytelling and complex characters. Despite the hardships she faced, books became her escape and eventually her calling. “Reading was an escape,” she shares, “but it also showed me that characters, like people, can rise above their circumstances.” Interestingly, Kate was seeing her own life and the possibilities of what it could be become in the pages of the many fiction books she was reading.
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Fast forward into her adulthood. Kate begin her own writing journey in 2019. She took the time to learn about writing through classes before starting to write her novels. In her novels, Kate weaves her personal experiences into her characters, creating stories that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. Her latest book, “Girl Lost,” explores themes of belonging and redemption, drawing from her own life experiences. “It’s always okay to come back,” she emphasizes, highlighting the importance of grace and second chances.
Beyond writing, Kate and her husband founded Vanguard Marriage and Family Advocates, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching relationship skills. They aim to equip individuals with the tools needed to build fulfilling relationships, a mission close to Kate’s heart given her background. In fact, for Kate relationship skills come to mind as one of the most critical things kids in foster care need as they navigate life’s difficult challenges. She encourages foster parents to really invest in those relationship skills (both teaching and modeling), no matter how short of time they might have with the kids.
Kate Angelo’s story is one of transformation and hope. Her journey from foster care to a successful author and advocate serves as a powerful reminder that with resilience and support, people really can overcome difficult pasts and complex circumstances.. Kate’s work and passion projects continue to inspire and offer a beacon of hope to so many others out there. Her story and life also reminds us all just how much we need one another.
