The theme song from the Broadway musical 'Annie' appropriately describes life in the orphanage as "hard-knock." For many of the nearly half million youth in foster care throughout the country, that theme is their life soundtrack. Fortunately, not all are destine to hopelessness and despair. Many youth in the child welfare system grow up to live productive, powerful lives.
How do I know? I survived 18 years as a foster child and at 23 years old, I'm now working to empower others through much needed advocacy and education outreach. I was removed from my parents' custody as a toddler, and placed in the hands of several strangers until I was adopted at age five. What was supposed to be a stable and safe environment turned out to be the opposite. For six years, I was abused, neglected, mistreated and abandoned by my adoptive mother who did not know how to love me.
I was then removed from my adoptive family's home and placed back into the foster care system. By age 17, I had experienced more than 20 placements that included detention centers, group homes, foster homes and shelters.
Like many other teens, I had no family support. But what I did have was determination to rise above the odds against me. I knew there wouldn't be a Daddy Warbucks to rescue me, so I decided that education would be my way out. I earned a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Michigan, where I studied Sociology and African-American studies. I graduated in four years, and entered graduate school soon after.
This is rare achievement among youth in the foster care system. According to census data, fewer than three percent of these young people earn a college degree, compared with 28% of the population. In my case, school was my refuge and it was the only thing that rewarded me.
I had suffered so much as a teen that I felt compelled to reach out and help others in and transitioning out of foster care. In 2009, during the final year of my undergraduate studies, I coordinated and hosted the first known conference for youth in foster care called "Rising Above the Odds Against Me Leadership Conference." The event, held in May during National Foster Care Awareness Month, was a success far beyond what I had envisioned. More than 100 youth, volunteers and sponsors participated.
That same year, the demand for resources for youth in southeast Michigan's foster care system increased significantly. The state's depressed economy and disappearing resources prompted me in 2010 to launch Cherish Our Youth, an organization that services teens facing challenges in foster care and juvenile detention. Our goal is to empower young people through psychological, spiritual and educational support while engaging them in community service.
Many of our participants have gone from truant to college-bound, and some have even made the Dean's List. This year, as the nation celebrates Foster Care Awareness Month, Cherish Our Youth is honoring and rewarding the young people that often go unnoticed.
On May 21, 2011, we will host our third annual conference and expect more than 200 participants. Their achievements will be celebrated and they will attend workshops designed to help them develop holistically.
I thank God for the gift he has given me to live a meaningful, purpose-driven life with a mission of helping youth reach their potential regardless of life circumstances.
If you are inspired to make a difference, consider volunteering your time as a mentor or opening your home to a young person.
Cherish Thomas is a motivational speaker and founder of Cherish Our Youth, an organization that provides resources and educational programs to teens in and transitioning out of foster care. Currently, Thomas is a graduate student in the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan.