Listen to "Speak Up" album by Amber Navran on Bandcamp

Amber Navran of Moonchild's first solo album.

Put your creative self out into the world. Don't let self doubt, or fear, or lack of knowledge/resources stop you. Borrow what you need, call people for help, work after work, take time when you need space, set a deadline. Don't listen to people's expectations of you or to your own voice telling you it's not good enough. Believe that you can, fight to be heard, empower yourself, trust your ear, be inspired by others, feel fear and create in spite of it - speak up.

Senator Scott Dibble Shares his Advice for Former Foster Youth

"Listen to and engage young people themselves in work of making things better. They know the shortcomings of the foster care system. They are best situated to articulate the solutions. Incredible personal and leadership development opportunities for those young people lie in efforts to build a movement and campaign for change. Be open to innovation, to changes, to different ways to use “the money.” It is not your money, it is held and used in trust. Protecting jobs, institutions, the status quo is a moral failure if those things are not doing much to make young people’s lives better."

"In the Minnesota Legislature, we have passed some groundbreaking legislation and devoted significant resources to help address the issues around the foster care system, youth homelessness, bullying in schools, the continuum of services and support young people need to grow into happy, productive, adulthood – lives with purpose and meaning.

Former Foster Youth TYRAUGHN BARNETT Shares His Story...

What I needed the most when I emancipated was family. I was just told I had a court date 11 days after my birthday. Turned out that I was emancipated. It was so unexpected. Having no money or a place to live, my foster parent let me stay until I was ready to leave. But my stuff was coming up missing so I decided to move out and live with friends until I finally found a place!

Piece of advice- Never give up. Learn your rights. Ask your social worker about your rights, if you don't know them. Keep your head up and stay strong! Join clubs that'll keep you busy with others. Use Facebook to connect with other foster youth."

Read More...

Former Foster Youth JHAMASA LEWIS-ADAMS Shares Her Story...

"The foster care system taught me to be self motivated and leave no corner unturned. It taught me resilience, independence, hard work, determination and above all, strategy and timing."

"My worst experience in foster care was being adopted by someone who was once a foster parent. I had other experiences but this one is at the top because I was mentally and emotionally abused. I thought that this was my chance at family and love but it wasn't. It was eye opening to live with a narcissist and to experience how adults will knowingly take advantage of children.

Read More...