By: Tatum Heath Growing up, my childhood was marked by experiences that left deep scars—neglect, instability, and abuse. These early adversities shaped my worldview and, at times, left me feeling like I was hopeless and stranded. But as I reflect on my journey, I’ve learned that there are ways to [...]
LOUISVILLE, KY – Everyone needs a safe, stable place to call home. However, a short supply of housing has made this increasingly difficult for Kentucky’s young people. The Fostering Connections: The Housing Landscape for Foster Care Alumni and Recommendations report, released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates, sheds light on the critical housing needs [...]
By Cynthia Schepers The Loneliness Epidemic Loneliness is an epidemic we all face – especially now that we have the technology to ensure we don’t have to go outside or interact with others. Even inventions such as the ATM have helped us have a way to avoid interactions with strangers. [...]
By Tatum Heath Foster care systems are intended to provide safety and support for children and adolescents who cannot live with their biological families. However, for LGBTQ+ youth, this journey through foster care can often be fraught with unique challenges and hurdles. In this blog, we explore the experiences faced [...]
Since 2011, True Up has been an initiative founded on empowering young people in foster care to gain the critical life skills they need to successfully transition from a structured environment to self-sufficiency in our communities. True Up is a caring family of foster care alumni who have faced [...]
By Tatum Heath, Peer Coach As a former foster youth and a Peer Coach for foster youth and alumni, I think that Children’s Advocacy Week was so beneficial for the young adults because it has really lit a fire in the youth. It has driven them to become more involved [...]
By Keisha Lyon, member of Journey to Success Kentucky Earlier this month, the Journey to Success Kentucky team traveled to Washington DC hoping to elevate youth voices to our federal legislators. Among them were two lived experience experts who joined nationwide JTS advocates at Capitol Hill. Our main goals were asking [...]
In the challenging journey from foster care to independent living, having a dedicated support system can make all the difference. Kentucky Youth Advocates/True Up is at the forefront of creating positive change for young people, particularly those with a foster care background. To further this mission, we are actively seeking [...]
The urgent need to decrease disproportionality of Black/African-American youth in Kentucky’s foster care system continues to be reiterated every time young adults with a foster care history share their lived experiences. Goals of the Truth Telling Circles and the Thriving Families, Safer Children project work include increased community awareness and the importance of [...]
New Report – Fostering Connections: Actions Needed to Prevent Homelessness Among Foster Care Alumni Featuring Findings from Interviews and Surveys with Young Adults with Lived Experience and Recommendations LOUISVILLE, KY – Whether they exit care through adoption, family reunification, or aging out, foster care alumni are at higher risk of [...]
