Name: LaTasha C. Watts

State: Ohio

Occupation:  Child Advocate and Mentor/Motivational Speaker/Future Author

Website: www.latashacwatts.com and www.thepurpleproject.org

LaTasha Watts

Most people wake up each day with a mom, a dad or some form of a family structure. But for some of us in the foster care system the reality of this type of life is few and far in between………I barely remember important parts of my life, it’s as if those parts never existed. I own no baby pictures of myself and only acquired a few pictures during my adolescence & teen years. It’s as if a whole section of my life disappeared. I grew up my entire life in the foster care system, struggling to grasp the concept, drifting in and out of relationships and trying to find what one would call normal. On top of it all, I still had to endure the normal stages that children and teens generally face throughout their developmental years. Being in care was no picnic for me. While I did not bounce around from place to place, I did face more turmoil while being in care from deaths, exposure to molestation, drugs and even turning to alcohol all before the age of 15.

I officially aged out of the foster care system at the age of 18, two days shy of my 19th birthday and a day after graduating from high school. But by then I was lost, alone and broken. And the system that once kept my mere existence alive had vanished. One would think that the system that put me here would have prepared me better for the world in which I was about to face. After aging out of the foster care system, I experienced a form of homelessness, living from place to place, without a stable place to call my own. Not to mention I lacked the essential skills that most people take for granted: cooking, washing clothes, paying bills, maintaining a bank account and even holding down a job for more than a week. Life became “survival of the fittest” for me. I learned how to manipulate any situation, to get the results that I needed “survival tactics,” or a “hustle” one might call it. Whatever you call it it’s definitely not a place you want to be. A whole year after exiting the system, I finally caught a break, a sigh of relief, there was a program that was designed for people just like me. At least until the age of 21, I could finally be free! I could attend college for an entire year, have a place to stay and most importantly I could eat. But I was forgetting one crucial factor, that college at the time was not right for me. Like many foster kids I struggled to get out of high school and although I did receive a high school diploma, keep in mind that so many of us do not. Unfortunately, college was the last thing on my mind, I spent the next year living on campus, never going anywhere, especially during the holidays and school breaks, all because I had no place to be. I was eventually kicked out of college. And would then spend the next two years in a controlling relationship, being diagnosed with OCD, having a kid, becoming a single mother and battling Cancer all by the mere age of 23.

A lot has changed since then; it has been approximately 17 years, since I have “aged out” of the foster care system. My Life is much different now, I have triumphed over adversity. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the importance of making a difference in someone’s life. That difference came for me, with the creation of The Purple Project (sm), which is a support network that I designed to help change the negative outcomes that many of us face after being a part of the foster care system.“Being in the system does not mean that you are alone!”

For more information regarding, LaTasha’s story and The Purple Project (sm) or if you would like to book LaTasha as a speaker or a panelist at your event, please email lcwatts@thepurpleproject.com.

Name: Capri Cruz

State: New York

Occupation:  Life Coach/Motivational Speaker/Author

Website:  http://www.lifecoachcapri.com

My name is Capri and I spent my whole life in abusive homes to include about 9 different foster homes. At 19, I joined the US Navy and spent the next 17 years running from my life because I couldn’t get a hold of it. Basic things that other people could comprehend, I could not, like “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” or “learn to be happy”. Happy, how could I learn to be happy? I spent my whole life unhappy, what the heck were these people talking about? So I self-medicated with alcohol. Over the years I did attend college but I had no real direction in life. My brother always beat in my head to get out of the military and be my own person, but again, I had no clue how to do that. So one day I decided to write a book about my experiences in foster care called You Were Born to Reflect Greatness and guess what! At the age of 39, I finally realized what my life’s problem was. I lived in the same fear at 39 that I did when I was 13 being sexually abused by my grandfather, which was the same fear that was originally created by living with chemically dependent parents who left me in foster care to be physical and emotionally abused. Fear was my enemy. It had infiltrated my mind, spirit, my mouth and my muscles. Fear stopped me from understanding that my life had become what it did because of the choices I was making (and lack of positive choices I was making). I was an extra in my own life instead of the main character. But today, that is not so. I’ve raised a wonderful daughter, I am an author, I have my Masters degree in Professional Counseling, I’m a life coach (http://www.lifecoachcapri.com) – (see my free articles and special report), I’m retiring from the U.S. Navy, I own my own home, I have plans to create a national organization to advocate for foster children and a million more plans for my future like becoming a professor and completing my PhD but most of all, the one thing that makes me a success story is that I’ve finally learned how to heal myself and experience true joy. I am the happiest person I know in this world. I do not hold any grudges against the people that harmed me, I’ve learned to forgive so I can move on, I practice dumping all negative energy and only surround myself with positive people now to include my 2 best friends. I am a success story because I finally realized that I co-control my destiny with God. I do not have to live in my fears of yesterday and nothing; absolutely nothing in this world is out of my reach. If I believe in something with all my heart and I speak it into existence with my mouth, while taking action everyday to achieve it, I know I can do anything I want in this world. I am free and no one will ever hurt me again because I’ve learned to set boundaries to keep negative people out of my life and I’ve created standards for the people I let in my life! I know my God loves me and I am powerful. This is my definition of success!

The unconditional love of a mother is something so powerful that it cannot be replicated from any other person.  I am not saying that another cannot love or be loved unconditionally by another.  Love can and does come in all forms but a mother’s unconditional love is unlike any other.  I find myself awe struck whenever I witness this incredible and selfless love.   The awe probably stems from the fact that I have no experience with it myself.  As a result, I am a big admirer and have a genuine appreciation for all the moms out there who give this gift to their children.  Recently I watched a movie that had me captivated, and I sat on the edge of my seat for the entire 2 hours, touched and inspired and even a bit  jealous.

It was the kind of movie that had “tear jerker” all over it and yet I could not turn the channel.   The story was about a woman who had a great career as a successful partner in a law firm and  a wonderful and happy 10 year old little girl.  Early on in the program, this healthy and beautiful looking woman is diagnosed with cancer.  The movie picks up at the point where the woman is just finishing up with completing the recommended treatment of  drugs and chemotherapy.  She is told by her Doctor that the treatments have failed,  her condition terminal, and no hope for recovery.  With six months at best to live, she makes the decision to spend every last moment,  making sure that  her daughter gets to create as many wonderful memories as possible so she has enough of them to carry her through life.  She moves them from the big city to a house on the beach in the small town she grew up in.

The film is touching and heart wrenching as it takes you through her final days, highlighting the incredible love and bond shared between her and her daughter.  As her last days of life are slowly breathed on screen, I found myself in complete awe of the amazing selflessness on the part of the Mother and the incredible bravery of those who love her to be present with her completely until the end.  I was sobbing like a big baby.  Ironically, I was not tearing up because this mother was dying.  It was more like an overwhelming sad heart I felt knowing that so many children (orphans, foster care) never get to have this kind of powerful love from their mother.  It also reminded me of all those who have it, yet are so unaware of how precious it is or simply don’t appreciate it.

So here I am, writing this blog.  This incredible example of unconditional love from a mother to her child is an emotion that I have great respect and admiration for.  I, like many foster children am unfamiliar with receiving it but I can tell you I know it when I see it!   I know someone who lost her mother, a result of a bad accident.  They shared this miracle bond of unconditional love.  This loss was so overwhelming to her that I don’t think she ever really recovered.  I wish that she was able to think more about the experience of having had the gift and less that it was taken away.  As I write this, I recognize that maybe it takes someone who never had it to view it this way.

Final Thoughts

For all of you who are blessed to have this amazing and selfless gift, appreciate, be grateful and thank your mom for it right now.

For those of you who do not, celebrate that you are here and thank her for that.  You always have the power to learn from a loss and do better with your own children.

Name: Tanya Cooper

State: New York

Occupation:  Author/Motivational Speaker/Child Advocate

Website:   tanya-onthetown.blogspot.com

Tanya Cooper

I am 45 years old with 2 beautiful girls, ages 13 and 21.   I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in New York City for 2 years.  During my time at F.I.T. I was awarded a contract as a Runway Model in Paris.    After returning to the states, I went back to school and graduated from New York University  in 1996.

My Time in Foster Care

I was in foster care from age 5-21.  My mom was a heroin addict and alcoholic who would leave us for weeks without food and sometimes lights.  I have 4 siblings and my 5 year old sister became our mother; changing diapers and stealing food for us to eat.   By the time we came into the foster care system,  we were malnourished.  We had never been to school or around many people as we only left the house to steal food.  Once in awhile, we would be able to go and get food from one of my mom’s 9 siblings, (all but 3 of them were on drugs).  My baby brother (who would now be 41) was adopted when he was around 2 or 3 so he only spent the first couple of years with us in foster care.  My other brother Rob, I grew up with and we stayed together until  I was 18.   At this point, I left my 2nd foster home after it was DISCOVERED that I was being molested by two of the foster brothers and used as a sex slave for years, since age 9.  My sister who I have contact with now, is doing okay but on medications due to her experience with foster care.

Tanya's Modeling Days in Paris

After Foster Care

In addition to the challenges I faced in foster care, I have also  survived being homeless two times, being a single mother, and  having cancer.  For the last 8 years I was a substance abuse counselor working with adolescents and kids over 15.   I recently finished writing a book about my story of survival called “Surviving foster care & Making it work for you!”  I hope to have it published by Summer of 2010.

My Mission

I am trying to make a difference in foster kids lives because it is hard without family.  My brother Rob just died in July (just  before his 42nd birthday) of heart disease.  He was my favorite person, always lifting me up when we were kids.   I survived because he always knew how to pick me up.   Imagine a kid who does not have anyone to pick them up?  I want to do seminars and teach kids that no matter what happens, get back up and live your best life now!

Rob

Growing up in the system was no easy task.   Remembering what it was like as a foster kid, wondering around in the dark, never knowing the answers to life.  I want to share words of encouragement, help anyone who was in foster care and I want kids to start taking control of their lives now.   Please view my blog of encouragement: tanya-onthetown.blogspot.com.

Chats about becoming a foster parent video – Rhonda

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of the greeting card aisle picking up card after card and not finding one that is honest enough (about how you feel) to put your name on it?  It happens to me ALL the time.  Mother’s and Fathers day, especially are two of my favorites!

I am sure that I am not alone with regard to being “greeting card challenged.”  What do I mean by that, you ask?  Well, take Mother’s Day for example.  It’s fast approaching and as is typical, I find myself perusing the Mother’s Day card section at the local CVS store.      I begin very quietly reading card after card, after card……..and after card!  Inevitably I forget where I am and start laughing and talking to myself out loud!  I never seem to be able to catch myself BEFORE noticing that annoyed person glaring in my direction and wondering why I am having so much fun with myself in the card aisle.  Now while I am not really close with my mother, I do believe sending a nice card is that little something that I can do to put a smile on her face.  I like knowing that it will make her happy to find a card in her mail box.  So what is the problem?  I have this thing about emotional authenticity.  It’s a pesky little thing that makes finding a card very difficult for me because I cannot send a card that says warm and fuzzy words that I don’t feel.  I spend lots of time searching for generic type messages with wording like “wishing you a wonderful day” and “may your day be filled with sunshine and flowers.”
I’m all about the idea of sending well wishes for today and tomorrow, I just  cannot use cards that are based on “thanking”  for a great past that was not my experience.  Are you with me?  I have actually had some friends suggest that I just pick a card, sign it and send it off without reading it!

Here is another example – imagine picking out a Birthday or Father’s day card for a man that you did not know as a child, and are now getting to know as an adult?  While I am thrilled that I now have him in my life and I love my father very much, most cards say things like, “thanks for always being there and for all those years of great advice” and, “you taught me right from wrong.”

Now, back to the laughing out loud part.  I created a Mother’s Day card, inserting the typical warm and fuzzy wording you’re sure to find at your local card store and then hand wrote the changes that I would need to make in order to apply it to my past experiences.

Now For The Real Fun….

This new section is appropriately named: “Greeting Cards – Some Dysfunctional Humor” because we can all relate to dysfunctional families, right?   You are in one, come from one or know one.  This is your chance to have fun, get creative and say exactly how you feel on greeting cards.  Email cards to Jennifer@fostercareinamerica.com and I will post them.  A card is included below (front cover, inside and back cover views) to get it going and to show as an example.  Here’s the best part, you don’t have to worry about offending anybody since all cards will be posted anonymously.  Only a title will be included so make sure to give your card a unique and fun name.

Mat's Memories From Childhood

POTATO CHIPS

It was late summer 73’ and I had gone down to the office and entered the lower level which was a basement. I walked down this tight narrow hallway and noticed on the left wall three buttons lined top to bottom next to a wood door with a handle.  I stopped and grabbed the handle and pulled up to see what was inside.  The door hit the top and inside was dirty dishes.  A couple of different size plates, a coffee cup, and silverware.   I realized it was a miniature elevator, a butler elevator.  I had never seen one in person before but, had seen them used in some TV programs and movies.  I ran out of the building to find my brother and to tell him what I had found.

I found my brother and in great excitement, I told him about the mini elevator and he went and grabbed two other kids and we headed back to the office basement.  I pointed the elevator out to them and opened the door so they could see what was inside.  Suddenly, one of the kids said take out the dishes and let’s see where it goes.  It sounded good to me so I removed the dishes and placed them on the floor around the corner.  We all stared inside the empty elevator and realized that it was an extremely small area.  Who was going to get inside?  Then the other kids and my brother at the same time turned their heads and looked at me.  My brother said I was the smallest one and told me to climb up inside.  I climbed inside and it was very tight.  I had to pull my knees to my chest but, I fit!  Someone pulled the door down and just as it shut I heard an adult yell “What are you boys doing?” followed by “You do not belong down here and need to leave.”  My heart starts to pound!  I think “Did he see me climb in?”  I sit completely silent and can hear the other kids exit the building and hear the door close behind them.  I wait for several minutes and hearing nothing, I pull the door open and sneak a quick look and notice the coast is clear.  I jumped out and ran for the exit.  I burst through the door and ran to find the other kids.  I had just dodged a bullet.

I met up with the other kids later in the evening to formulate a plan on how we can use the elevator and for what.  An older kid was brought in and he recommended that we use the elevator to get into the kitchen and raid it for goodies.  I thought that was a great plan!  I automatically had visions in my head of cookies, cakes, and candy.  It was decided the raid would happen tomorrow evening after the staff left for the day.  I went to bed in great excitement thinking about the well crafted plan we had come up with and felt that I could barely wait for tomorrow.

I woke up and started my daily routine and the day flew by.  The time had come to place our plan into motion.  We get to the elevator and I climb up inside and the other kids tell me to look for candy, cake and cookies.  The door is closed and the elevator jerks into motion and slowly heads up to the kitchen on the second floor.  The elevator comes to a stop and I pause for a moment and listen to make sure no adult was still inside the kitchen.  I hear nothing and open the door and poke my head out and scan left to right before I climb out.  I climb out and notice the counter tops, appliances, and food racks where made of shiny stainless steel.  I have never seen such a clean room.  I turn left and notice the evening sun setting and how beautiful the deep orange light was as it filtered through the trees outside and entered the west windows.  The light struck the stainless steel which scattered into pieces, reflecting like a disco ball.   It hits me that I see no food at all.  The kitchen racks and shelves where empty and I could see no sign of food anywhere.  I did not plan for this and was not sure what to do.  I walked around and looked in every nook and cranny and nothing!  What kind of kitchen has no food?  I realize I’m taking too long and just as panic starts to swell up inside me, I notice a beam of sun light shooting across the room. The dust particles are swirling inside the light beam and seem to ride the light across the room.  I follow the beam to its end and notice it was lighting up a large tin canister.  I cross the room and notice it’s a container of potato chips.  What a beautiful sight, it was lit up like a fine piece of jewelry inside a glass case.  I get within grabbing distance from the chips and then freeze.  It seemed out of place and what if it was a trap?  Was I the mouse in this case?  The moment passed quickly and I grabbed the canister and headed to the elevator but, before I placed it inside I decided to open and make sure there were chips inside.  I pried the lid open and it was full of chips!  I grabbed one and ate it and that was one good chip!  I placed the canister in the elevator and realize there was not enough room for me and the canister.  I quickly decided to send the chips first, so I closed the door to the elevator and pushed the down button.  The kids below sent the elevator backup to me.  I opened the door and climbed inside and pull the door down.  It hits me that with the door closed, I could not push the elevator button!  I open the door and reach out and push the button.  Nothing happens!  Dang!  The door must be closed for the elevator to work.  I close the door and just as I decide to yell, the elevator lurches and starts to go up.  That’s the wrong the direction!

I knew the third floor held several bedrooms and figured an adult was calling the elevator to put dishes inside.  I buried my face in my knees and did my version of the Wizard of Oz.  I kept repeating to myself “I’m not here…  I’m not here…”  My heart is pounding and it becomes hard for me to breath.  The elevator comes to a stop and just as the anticipation becomes unbearable, the elevator starts going down.  I get to the basement and open the door and the other kids are laughing.  They thought it would be funny to send me to the third floor and I guess it was for them but, not so much for me.  It was dusk now and we hustle back behind cottage one and two.  We place the canister of chips down by a tree that had a rope and tire as a swing and began to gorge ourselves.  I think I had shiny lips for a week after eating all those potato chips and decided the overall experience was not worth ever doing again, so ended my only successful heist.

Name: Rozetta Mowery

State: Tennessee

Occupation:  Author/Motivational Speaker/Child Advocate

Book:  Tragedy in Tin Can Holler.

Website:  www.tragedyintincanholler.com

Rosie with her sisters when they entered the foster care system.

I spent over twelve years of my childhood in foster homes in northeast TN.  It was a Holston United Methodist Home child in Greeneville, Tennessee.  The Christian principles and teachings and faith in God, which I learned from the Holston United Methodist Home for Children, always remained with me and formed a strong foundation that helped me to survive all of the hardships I faced in my lifetime.  Even though all the odds were against me, I survived and become a productive and responsible member of society.  I was determined to prove to myself and others that there are no brick walls.  I  never wanted to be labeled, “one of those kids”, whether it was because I came from a place called Tin Can Holler or because I was a foster child.  I graduated from high school in 1970 as a member of the National Honor Society and was on my own at the age of eighteen.  In 1973 I moved to Florida where I became a Florida Realtor and worked in the executive field for major corporations in Florida.

In 2006, after raising my 3 children, I sold my home and quit my job in Florida and returned to the place of my birth in Athens, TN and to the little community where I lived that was called Tin Can Holler, to find out the truth about my family and why my father murdered my mother when I was 7 years old.   I was traumatized with my findings and knew in my heart that God had brought me back to my roots for a purpose and that was to help others.  I wrote my family story titled “Tragedy in Tin Can Holler” to help other people and to send a message to all those who are living in domestic violence.

Discovering the truth about my family sent me on a mission that I never envisioned.  Today I am a writer, published author and motivational speaker for all ages.  I’m also an advocate speaker against child abuse and domestic violence.  I volunteer my time to assist with fundraisers that promote and support domestic violence programs and children shelters.  I’m also a spokesperson for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children in the states foster care programs and the United Methodist Homes for Children nationwide. In addition, my book is required reading for all the foster parents in the jurisdiction of the Holston United Methodist Home for Children, which is in the Holston Conference.

Message to all Foster Children

Rozetta (Rosie) Mowery Today

My message to all foster children is for them to know and believe that they can do and be whatever they desire as long as they stay focused on their goals….it does not matter where they come from or what they have been through.  They must not be afraid to ask for help.  My best advice would be, “Get a mentor”….that could be a teacher, preacher, coach, a business man or woman that they admire who is successful, and always socialize with people who have also set goals for themselves.  Always avoid drugs and alcohol and most important,  believe in God and include him in your daily activities and devotions.

Rosie as a teenager in foster care.

Jimmy is currently on the road, traveling across the country on foot, promoting his “Meet Me Halfway” campaign.    There are two very detailed articles included below.  The first tells you all you need to know about his passion for bringing awareness to the many homeless children and the issues surrounding them.  The second details the story of his past, and the importance his favorite song has played in his life.  Please welcome Jimmy…….

Name: Jimmy Wayne

State: Tennessee

Occupation:  Country music recording artist and homeless youth advocate

Favorite source of inspiration:  Raising awareness and money to benefit organizations that assist homeless youth.

Jimmy Wayne

ARTIST WANTS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HOMELESS PLIGHT AND MONEY TO BENEFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSIST HOMELESS YOUTH

Country music recording artist Jimmy Wayne  launched his “Meet Me Halfway” campaign on January 1, 2010 when he began his solo walk halfway across America in Nashville, TN.  Wayne’s intention is not only to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, especially at risk children, teens and young adults, but also raise funds for organizations that benefit homeless youth, including HomeBase Youth Services, a Phoenix, AZ — based organization that provides essentials for homeless young adults. Wayne began the walk at 10:00 a.m. CT on January 1st at Monroe Harding in Nashville, another organization that services at risk children and young adults. He plans to walk to Phoenix, AZ.

Road Support Sponsor

“I realize beginning a mission like this in the dead of winter and walking through the middle of the country is going to be difficult, but I hope and pray I am up to the challenge,” Wayne said. “It’s going to be cold, rainy and maybe even snowing and that ground I sleep on at night is going to be really hard. But that’s what the homeless are dealing with each and every winter they go without a home of their own.  Our country is too great for us to have people who are suffering so.  And events of the past 12 to 14 months have increased the number of people—especially children and young adults—without a safe place to sleep. We as a nation have got to end homelessness and we’ve got to help these kids.”

Young Jimmy holding his nephew.

Wayne grew up in a variety of foster and group homes, and occasionally found himself homeless as a teen. He was given a second chance when Bea and Russell Costner gave him a home and fresh start when he was only 16 years old. He has never forgotten the generosity of the couple, who were in their 70’s when they took Wayne in.  “Bea and Russell took a chance on me, and I was certainly no poster child for adoption,” Wayne said. “I was this teenager with long hair and tattoos, but they saw past that to the scared kid I was. They met me halfway by offering me a place to live and the opportunity to go back to school.  But in turn I had to meet them halfway by helping myself, which meant studying, doing chores and following the rules. They provided me with a way to help myself make a life. They gave me a home, love and respect.”

Wayne’s concern for the welfare of the homeless has deepened and accelerated during the past year, with so many people losing their homes to decaying real estate and financial markets.  “It’s been really hard to sit still and watch everything going on in our country since last year’s troubles on Wall Street began,” Wayne said. “While so many of these people received bailouts, and even bonuses, blue collar and Middle America has suffered. From my past,I know first hand what the homeless are experiencing—no roof over your head, no real certainty that there will be any food for the day and just hoping the pair of shoes on your feet lasts another winter. No one in this country should be faced with that kind of situation — especially kids.  But unfortunately thousands of people are going though this each and every day.”

Wayne selected HomeBase Youth Services as the recipient of any donations people care to make because of the work they do with homeless young adults (age 18 –21).  Like most charitable organizations, HomeBase has also been hit hard by the economic woes of the country. HomeBase is an Arizona-based, non-profit organization founded in 1991 to address the growing needs of at-risk and homeless youth age 21 and younger.  At age 18, many youth “age out” of the foster care or juvenile justice systems without the necessary life skills to live independently; as a result, they quickly end up homeless and on the streets.  Other youth choose to flee their homes after years of mental, physical and emotional abuse or neglect.  HomeBase addresses the needs of this “forgotten” population, and assists these promising young people with the tools they need to live healthy, independent lives.  The programs and services include Street Outreach, Mobile Medical Outreach, Employment and Life Skills Training, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care, a Resource Center, a Transitional Living Program and an Independent Living Program.  The mission of HomeBase Youth Services is to teach at-risk and homeless youth how to become self-sufficient adults.

“Because I was helped when I needed it, I want to try and help now,” Wayne said. “If the bit of celebrity I have can help me raise awareness of this situation –that there are kids and young people out there who need our help, then I feel like I have accomplished my goal.  I’m not asking people to come out and walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved– donate money, adopt a kid, learn more about the foster child/foster parent program in your local community.  There’s so much one person can do, and so many ways they can make a difference. It just takes one person to help someone to a better life.”

“Sara Smile” is more than another hit record for Jimmy Wayne. Much more.

“For 13 years, I have been singing that song,” he explains. “I sang it on the prison yard when I worked at the prison. Even though I didn’t write it, I sang it at writers’ nights in Nashville. It is the song that taught me how to play the guitar. In 2002, I sang ‘Sara Smile’ for Scott Borchetta, and he gave me a record deal. This song has had a major impact on my life.”

Jimmy Wayne’s remake of the Hall & Oates pop classic is now the centerpiece of an album that showcases his formidable talents as both a vocalist and a songwriter. His soulful singing permeates every note of such soaring, powerful ballads as “All the Time in the World,” “Belongs to You” and “Counting the Days.” He rocks splendidly on “There’s a Memory” and “Things I Believe.”

As a songwriter, Jimmy Wayne is uplifting and inspirational on “Just Knowing You Love Me.” He is soft, romantic and dreamy in “Just Look at You.” “Elephant Ears” is touching and tender. In “I’ll Never Leave You,” which he wrote alone, he finds a new way to explore a loving relationship.

The new album caps what has been an extraordinary year for Jimmy Wayne. “Do You Believe Me Now” soared to the top of the country charts, was No. 1 for three weeks and became one of the biggest hits of 2008-2009. He toured with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley and played Madison Square Garden. Nashville Lifestyles magazine named him one of its “Beautiful People of 2009.”

“It’s been amazing,” he says gratefully. “It just goes to show you what perseverance can do. That, plus having a great team.”

In 2008, Jimmy Wayne’s career was stone cold. “Do You Believe Me Now” turned him into one of the greatest comeback stories in modern country-music history.

Adversity is nothing new to this gifted artist.  As his fans know, Jimmy Wayne survived a turbulent, abusive childhood. His father abandoned the family. His mother went to prison, and he was shuttled to a series of foster homes. His stepfather tried to murder him. He was a homeless teen, living by his wits on the street.

“I became very independent. I had to depend on myself. Folks ask me why I don’t drink. It’s because I needed and wanted to be very conscious of what I was doing at all times. That’s what helped me to survive.”

A North Carolina couple named Russell and Beatrice Costner took him in and encouraged his evolving love of music. At the time, he was singing and writing in a variety of styles, rock, country and even rap and opera.

“When I was about 15, I was on a school bus. I was just kind of staring out the window and singing a song. A girl in front of me turned around. She asked, ‘Is that you singing? That was really good.’ I was real shy. I’ve always been a loner. I never had any friends. I just never was the type of person to reach out to people. I spent a lot of time in my bedroom alone, playing music and writing. That day, I remember standing there and, like, hearing my singing voice for the first time.

“Then when I was in the 12^th grade in high school, there was a convict from a local prison who came to our school. He was in a Think Smart program. He played and sang and told his story. All the years prior, I’d been experimenting with different styles of music. I was writing stories, which were songs. But I really didn’t know what to call them. When I saw that convict sing, I looked around and saw everybody in that auditorium being very moved. I remember saying to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do, exactly what he’s doing.’ He called it ‘country music.’ He said, ‘I’m a country singer.’ I’m like, ‘Really? I guess that’s what I am, too.’ That led to me getting a guitar.”

Jimmy Wayne worked his way through school in a textile mill. Then he became a North Carolina prison guard. Talent scouts from Nashville’s Opryland theme park came through his area, auditioning potential performers.

“I showed up, and I was the very last person to audition. Mike Whelan was there from the Opryland Music Group. I told him I wrote, but I forgot the words to the song. Then I sang ‘Love Me’ by Collin Raye and a Garth Brooks song, ‘Papa Loved Mama.’”

That audition led to an offer for him to write songs for the Opryland Music Group’s famed Acuff-Rose firm. He turned in his resignation at the prison, moved to Nashville on a Sunday morning in 1998 and started writing songs full time that Monday.

“I didn’t even know what a publishing company was. When I got here, I knew I wasn’t ready. But as much of a loner as I was, I wasn’t afraid to talk to people so that I could learn.”

He concentrated on improving his guitar playing, his vocal style and his songwriting skills. In 1999, Tracy Byrd had a hit with “Put Your Hand in Mine,” which Jimmy Wayne co-wrote with Skip Ewing. Three years later came that fateful audition with “Sara Smile,” which led to a recording contract with DreamWorks Records. His debut CD appeared in 2003 and spawned the top-10 hits “Stay Gone” and “I Love You This Much,” plus the top-20 chart successes “You Are” and “Paper Angels.” The last-named won him the William Booth Award from the Salvation Army in 2005 and has since become a perennial holiday favorite.

But DreamWorks shut its doors in 2005, and Jimmy Wayne’s career momentum was stopped abruptly. Former DreamWorks executive Scott Borchetta offered him a new contract with the Valory Music Company. But it took awhile to find the right comeback vehicle.

“I was in survival mode. I didn’t panic. I thought, ‘I have got to write and I have got to look for the right songs. It all comes down to a song.’ I knew that much. I said, ‘I have got to find THE song, and I won’t stop until I do.’ It was stressful. There was nothing going on. I was donating a lot of my time to charity and playing as much as possible. I was off the radar for three or four years, just trying to find that huge song that was, hopefully, going to get me a resurrected career. And then I stumbled across ‘Do You Believe Me Now,’ and, of course, that became the song. That was the comeback.”

It was followed by “I Will,” which also became a hit. While recording the songs for both the Do You Believe Me Now and Sara Smile albums, Jimmy Wayne worked with a variety of producers. But the sheer power of his performances make both albums into seamless listening experiences.

“I have been given this gift,” he says quietly. “And I want to use it well. I’ve been given this great opportunity. I want to go back and give hope through my music, somehow. I visit these homes, and I talk to these kids as young adults. It’s one of my passions. It’s hard, but I actually enjoy doing that.

“My goal is to build a foundation based on hit songs. Someday, I’d like to build an orphanage for kids who are too old to be adopted.

“I don’t see myself as anything like a ‘star.’ I don’t think that I’m better than the person I’m singing to. I’m just doing what I love to do. And the fans are the reason I’m allowed to do it.

“Sometimes it’s just wild the way things work out. There was this really good baseball player in our high school. We used to go down to the grocery store and wait for our girlfriends who worked there to come out on breaks. I asked him, ‘So what do you want to do when you get out of high school?’ He said, ‘I’d like to go to college or become a professional baseball player.’ He asked me what I wanted to do. And I said, ‘I want to be a professional country singer.’

“We didn’t stay in contact. The day I got my record deal, I remember I was celebrating by myself. I went down to the Longhorn restaurant and ordered a sweet potato and a sweet tea. I opened the sweet potato, and I took out a scoop. I looked up at the television screen, and there was a Braves game on, and he was standing on the pitcher’s mound! It said, ‘Millwood’ on the back of his shirt. I will never forget that feeling that I had.

“Kevin Millwood. He is with the Texas Rangers now. He did what he said he was going to do. And, now, so was I. Strange the way things turn out. A couple of years later when I was back home, I saw him. We just shook hands and laughed. He is so unassuming, just a good ol’ country boy. But it was like, ‘Dude! We did it!’”

Jennifer Flamini

I received a wonderful  letter from a foster dad.  The letter offers both words of encouragement as well as a demonstration of   human kindness that I am honored to witness and share with you.  Thank you Bishop Hodges for your message of hope, love and faith in us.

My dear sister,

my name is Bishop H.L.Hodges, my wife and I have been foster parents for years. We first started in Los Angeles, Ca and upon moving back home, to Pensacola, Fl we cont. to do the same. My heart as always been for the children of the world, they struggle with life and it’s problems, while just looking for someone to tell them, “YOU CAN MAKE IT”! I was moved by your own personal story, and decide to write you about mine. Although i grew up in a home surrounded by two brothers and a sister, a mom that worked 16 hr. a day,  I still did not have the much needed father figure, but l learned to become a man from a woman that showed me how to be one.

My wife and I have been married for 36 yr. although we never had any kids of our own, we “Adopted 6 kids that we use to foster”. they are all grown now, and have their own families,  I still fuss, and I still LOVE THEM, just as much as I have always done. That the job of a “Father” not a dad, for any man can be a dad, but, there are few that can be counted and “Father’s”. If there was any one that I wished could have been my daughter, my wife and I wish it could have been you. I hope that all your efforts to help other’s, will be rewarded, for I can feel in my heart that you have a passion for what you are doing to help those that struggle, just as you have struggled!!!!!!

My wife and I are not as young as we use to be, L.O.L. I learned how to write that from my youngest girl, but, if we can encourge your group, and please tell them this one thing for us please, “NEVER, EVER, GIVE UP ON THEIR DREAMS”.

Thank you for letting a old man talk to you.

Bishop H.L.Hodges
Life Changing Ministries AFH Church
non-denomonational

I recently created a new campaign called “foster care’s silent warriors” to generate some attention to all things relating to foster care.  Part of the campaign’s plan includes a personal letter to Oprah’s producers that asks for help with regard to public exposure for foster care.  It is such a large issue in America that it deserves LARGER THAN LIFE ATTENTION which is where Oprah comes in.  A publicist recently shared with me that the best chance to reach Oprah with an idea is to speak to her producers so that is what I did.

Email Oprah Producers and tell them you want to see shows that highlight Foster Care issues.

You can help me get Oprah’s attention by copying my emailed letter (included below) and sending under your name. All you have to do is click on the “Email Oprah Producers” link, fill in your information and then copy and paste my letter ( included below).  You can also email her with your own words as well, every email will help get foster care children the attention they deserve. Please help pass along this message!

Email letter to Oprah Producers

From Foster Care to Millionaire:

Abandoned at just six months of age, raised by a mentally ill man and an alcoholic woman in what can only be described as a bizarre, emotional roller coaster of an upbringing, Rhonda Sciortino used coping skills to survive the unique challenges of her childhood. She put these same survival skills to use to start her own business and make other investments, which grew to become a multimillion-dollar balance sheet. More important than the financial success are the good relationships and other elements of true prosperity that she has achieved along the way. Rhonda learned that prosperity comes in many forms … it’s not just the money we put in the bank every month, but what we achieve in our personal lives.

In her inspiring book, From Foster Care To Millionaire, she tells of some of the “crazy-making” events of her childhood, how she went from poverty, filth, hunger and loneliness to affluence, order, fulfillment, and relationships and more importantly, how you can use the obstacles in your life as stepping stones to a great future!

Rhonda’s Mission:

“Encourage people living with abuse or other disadvantages to know that someone like them made it out of the abuse and they can too.”

“Show that we all create our own outcomes—good or bad— with the choices we make.”

“Help people intentionally create a great life by teaching them what works, including helping them identify and refine or get rid of the coping mechanisms used to deal with past dysfunction that damage good relationships.”

“To show that there are lots of ways to have a great life other than what kids typically categorize as success, like being a professional athlete, actor, musician, celebrity of some sort, professional poker player, or some other unlikely career.”

“Raise awareness in the general public that all people who have been abused do not turn out to be criminals, child abusers, or dysfunctional in relationships.  In fact, former foster kids and other survivors of abuse are everywhere. We are business owners, attorneys, physicians, contractors, judges, escrow officers, insurance brokers, executives, and in every other line of work you can think of. We are co-workers and neighbors, and could wind up marrying into your family!  I’m hoping that readers who have been hurt by a person who came from a dysfunctional family will come away with a better understanding of why that person hurt them, and perhaps more importantly, that the person who caused the hurt can change.  Radical, dramatic, life altering personality change can, and does, happen.  I’m proof of it.”

About the Author:

Rhonda is the Founder of Child Welfare Insurance Services, which is the only insurance organization in the US dedicated to protecting child welfare organizations and helping prevent injuries and deaths of youth in foster care.   Rhonda hopes to implement a program of work ethic, character building, and money management for disadvantaged youth. She knows firsthand that an earned paycheck will help develop dignity and self-esteem like nothing else will.  Rhonda and her husband live near their daughter and her family in Southern California.  In January of 2009, Rhonda joined forces with Markel Insurance to continue  to enhance her 25 year history of helping people who help children.  For more information on Child Welfare Insurance Services, visit www.Markelinsurance.com.  For more information about Rhonda, visit www.rhondasciortino.com.

Mat's Memories From Childhood

TOY GUN

Before I can start this story, I must return to the beginning when my brother and I first arrived.  We met the house parent Tony for the first time and he went over a set of rules we must follow.  The one rule I remember is the no gun policy.  We could not have a toy gun, use an object as pretend guns, or use our fingers as guns.

I believe it was a week or two since I got back from the hospital because I still had a patch on my right eye.  All the kids where lining up to get their allowance and I thought for sure I would not get mine because I had been in the hospital and did not do my chores.  I got in line anyway and waited my turn.  To my surprise fifty cent was slid out of the change envelope and handed to me.  The house parent marked my name off and I turned to leave and looked for my brother.  I found him and in great excitement headed to the corner store to purchase candy.  We exited the back gate at Ivy House and hung a left and ran to the corner store.  We entered the front glass doors and headed for the candy section, but before I could get there a beautiful red and white toy ray gun caught my eye.  I do not know what it was about this gun, but it pulled at me like a light to a flying insect.  I picked the gun up and started pointing it at everything I saw.  I had to have this gun!  I called my brother over and said “Let’s buy this gun!”  I looked at the price and reached into my pocket and pulled out my allowance and realized I did not have enough money to buy the gun.  My impulse to have this gun was so strong that I quickly formulated a plan to get this gun.  I was going to steal it!   I grabbed the gun and pretended that I was invisible and simply was going to walk out the store and no one would ever know.  My plan was flawed!  I was not invisible and the store manager yelled “Stop.”  I’d been caught!   The gun was taken from me and the manager asked where we lived.  I said Ivy House and he stepped behind the counter and picked up the phone and called someone.  The manager hung up the phone and told us to go home.

I was so scared.  I knew Tony was the house parent on duty and all that went through my head was “No guns.”  Not only did I try to steal, but it the item was a gun.  The walk back seemed to take hours though it had only been about ten minutes.  My brother and I walked through cottage one doors and there stood Tony waiting to intercept us.  I stood in front of him in shame looking at the ground.  He told me to look him in the face and asked why I tried to steal?  Without wasting a moment, I said because I did not have enough money to buy it.  To my surprise his chin started to quiver and his eyes swelled up with tears!  He bent down and picked me up and kissed me on the left check.  Not sure if it was because I was wearing an eye patch or that I told the truth.  Anyhow, he set me down and told my brother and me that he was taking us back to the store for us to apologize to the manager.  He walked us back down to the corner store and made us wait at the front glass doors to the store as he went in to talk with the manager.  After a brief moment, Tony motioned for us to come in.  Tony then told the manager that we had something to tell him.  I looked at the manager and told him I was sorry for trying to steal from him. At this point Tony told us to head back to the cottage and wait for him.  We both got back and took a seat on the green couch.   My head was swirling and the anticipation of his return put my stomach in knots.   Tony walked through the door and came up to me.  I stood up from my seat and he knelt down and told me the next time if I wanted something not to steal it, but come and talk with him.  He then pulled from behind his back the ray gun I had tried to steal and handed it to me.  I was speechless!  I was in conflict!  What about the rule?  I simply said thank you and ran off with my new ray gun yelling POW POW………………

Quick Facts About Foster Care

Children in Care

513,000 children were in the U.S. foster care system on September 30, 2005. Most children are placed temporarily in foster care due to parental abuse or neglect.

Age of Children in Foster Care

Average age: 10.0 years

Race/Ethnicity

As a percentage, there are more children of color in the foster care system than in the general U.S. population. However, child abuse and neglect occur at about the same rate in all racial/ethnic groups.

Read the report, Children of Color in the Child Welfare System, from CWLA’s National Data Analysis System.

Gender

Length of Stay

For the children in foster care on September 30, 2005, the average amount of time they had been in the system was 28.6 months. Half of those leaving care that year had been away from home for a year or longer. 54% of the young people leaving the system were reunified with their birth parents or primary caregivers.

Foster Homes

In 2004, there was a total of 153,000 licensed/certified/approved kinship and non-relative foster homes nationwide. In 2005, 24% of youth living foster care were residing with their relatives.

Adoptions

In 2005, 60% of adopted children were adopted by their foster parent(s). The “foster parent” category excludes anyone identified as a relative of the child. 25% of children adopted in FY 2005 were adopted by a relative. A “relative” includes a step-parent or other relative of the child.

Siblings and Extended Families

Over 2 million American children live with grandparents or other relatives because their parents cannot care for them. When relatives provide foster care (known as kinship care), siblings can often stay together. Kinship care also improves stability by keeping displaced children closer to their extended families, their neighborhoods, and their schools.

Youth in Transition

Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people “age out” of the U.S. foster care system. Many are only 18 years old and still need support and services. Several foster care alumni studies show that without a lifelong connection to a caring adult, these older youth are often left vulnerable to a host of adverse situations: