Foster: Care, Youth, Opportunities, Blahblah

     Well, I can tell you right now, that I'm in foster care. For those that don't know what it is. It's when a child is taken away from the biological parents due to many reasons (like neglect, unsafe environments, or the kid is being naughty lol). The child is then placed in a foster home until A) the parents show they can take care of the child. Or B) The child ages out of care (18 in most states, 19 in Nebraska).
     Foster means to promote the growth of the child, hence the terms foster parents, foster youth, foster care, etc. However, it's not an entirely bad thing; for some -like myself- it turned out to be better than where I actually was in terms of safety and well being.

     Now that you got a gist of what "foster care" is. Let me tell you a little about me, being a "foster youth", I have all the knowledge and wisdom one seeks regarding foster care. I was 11 going on 12 when I was taken away from my mom. I was then placed in a foster home in Goehner, Nebraska (aka middle of nowhere...no seriously...Google Map it NOW!)...Well, being placed in the middle of nowhere; I was out of my element.
     I went to a school where 98% of the kids were white. Who made up the other 2%...Me, my older brother, my younger sister, a Native American, and a random black guy haha. Being one of 2 Hispanic guys out there, I stuck out like a pig among guinea pigs, and being a foster kid, I stuck out like a pee on snow.
     All a foster kid wants is to be treated like a normal kid...who lives in a different home...and goes to a different school...yeah...treated normal! After rumors of being in a Mexican mob, and several other stories...I was a normal kid in the end. :D

     Now, I'm 18 years old...still in care...but not living in the middle of nowhere anymore! If you know of anyone in foster care...treat them like a normal person...not like you'd treat your fish, or grandma, but like someone who sits in the front or back of class
.
     There are also many great opportunities for those in care, all you gotta do it step it up a notch! Many states have councils...and getting involved is as easy as making a phone call or sending someone an email.
     Nebraska has a great council...The Nebraska Foster Youth Council (great name huh?) aka Project Everlast...If you wanna get involved...check it out: Project Everlast Omaha or Nebraska Foster Youth Council

     After 7 going on 8 years in foster care...I will finally be aging out in June (Party? I think so!). It was a moving, touching, learning experience. Like I said before...I have a lot of knowledge and wisdom under my belt. :)

For all those that read this...I appreciate it!
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