Family in the Stands

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

Jane Howard

Every young person deserves a stable, loving family who supports their goals and encourages them to reach for their dreams. Unfortunately, about half a million young people, nationally, are in a position that has left them without a family to care for them. The majority of youth in foster care do not have a place to go to for the holidays or a person to call for advice once they leave foster care. Families First has established what we call “permanency cooperatives,” formerly group homes, that are built to not only provide “room, board and watchful oversight” but also to serve as a place where youth can forge personal, permanent relationships with caring adults and community to assist them  in achieving permanence. The outcome? More young people who age out of foster care will have a “family,”  however they choose to define it; relationships for a lifetime. Families First strives to provide youth with opportunities to build these relationships through our Placement to Permanency initiative and the Make it Click mentoring project that work side by side with our Permanency Cooperatives to provide additional supports essential to the success of a young person. It is absolutely imperative that every young person have a least one caring adult who they can call on for advice, support, or encouragement after they “age out” of foster care; a “family” of their own.

This week’s blog is about our recent trip to a University of Louisville football game to visit and surprise Lorenzo Mauldin, a former Families First Permanency Cooperative resident who graduated from high school this year and now attends the University of Louisville on a football scholarship. Lorenzo was awarded a football scholarship and is interested in pursuing a degree in communications. Week after week Lorenzo plays defensive end for the Cardinals in front of thousands of fans but we wanted to ensure that one week his number one fans, his “family,” was  in the stands to cheer him on. There is nothing more priceless than seeing a young person fulfill their dreams, and it is an honor to be more than an agency to Lorenzo; we are his ”clan”; his “ network”, “tribe” and, ultimately, his “family.”

Kim Anderson, Families First CEO

 

When Lorenzo left Families First’s Cherokee Permanency Cooperative last spring after six years to attend the University of Louisville he had one request, “Just come to the games!”

For 18-year-old Lorenzo, this was more than a request to fill the seats of the 55,000 seat University of Louisville stadium to cheer for the Cardinals. Every week there are thousands of people cheering in the stands for the Cardinals but if none of those people are your “family”, cheering just for you, the stadium may as well be empty. Lorenzo spent most of his youth in foster care and for the six years he lived in our Cooperative he was part of Families First’s “family” and we were his “family”.

Nationally about 20,000 young people transition out of foster care each year. One out of every four of these young people never graduates from high school. Only 13% go on to post secondary education and only 3% actually graduate from college. Faced with such startling statistics there is no wonder why it is imperative for youth aging out of care to have the constant, consistent support every child and young person needs to be successful. 

In preparation for college, not only did Lorenzo do very well athletically, he worked hard and studied intensely with the goal of playing sports in college as a constant motivator. Lorenzo built relationships with caring adults who provided the support necessary to help him dream and to reach for the stars. It is lifelong relationships that move youth beyond the statistics and enable them to overcome the odds.  For Lorenzo, it was his hard work and dedication, coupled with the unwavering support of his mentors through Families First that made it possible for him to defy the odds.

Eight members of "Lorenzo's Family" went to his game representing many individuals who have helped to build a foundation of support that will propel him toward success. Our attendance at this one football game was emblematic of our enduring commitment to cheer for him through life.

Although the Cardinals did not win this game, Lorenzo is winning the game of life each and every day. He has made great strides and triumphed over many challenges during the course of his young years. Lorenzo’s “family”, comprised of countless mentors and friends, are in the stands each and every day rooting for him and providing the foundation that will sustain him through any trials and tribulations he may face in the future.  Our wish and mission is to ensure every young person has a caring and committed family in the stands cheering for them, providing support, encouragement, and commitment to help them to dream, pursue their passions, and to reach for the stars.

Watch a video slide show from our trip to Lorenzo's Game.

 

Comments

[Eliza]

You got me with this one! Reaching for the tissues right now....

[anthony Reeves]

Wish i could have been their for my little brother!

[Elena Schneider]

Yes!! While in the "system" use the resources that we did get... tutors from SIFE from the local college... "visiting resources AKA mentors, friends,etc"... ,keep being yourself and keep going in life such as me: doing these running events, some biking events-Randolph Co. Century Bike Run and Pecan City Pedalers,and going to school. You never know what else can lead you. Join some of the community activities like I have since leaving Job Corps such as CASA even though I am not a volunteer, Parents for Change-Secretary, etc. There are always things to do out there, just have to go out there and grab them and network!

[Elena Schneider]

I have not been a good speaker in front of a big crowd of people, but I took a chance to go out there for Youth Empowerment and did my first speaking engagement in Tifton, GA! It went well and I only invited one of the local CASA volunteers. She surprised me with another one that has seen me in the events they hold. I was very grateful they came to support me as I spoke and did a great job. So, this tells you.. You never know what to expect if just get out your 4 walls at the house and participate. Something you never expected can happen!