keeping your eye on the prize

Hi blog family!
Thank you ALL who have visited this site!! We are growing, which means the word is getting out, a blog foster and ex foster kids can go to ....please ask any questions, I will find an answer if i don't have one!!

alot going on...including the usual life drama...always to be continued! lol...

Fosterkidsunite, what is the point of this blog? Why do we give stipends to kids aging out of foster care?
Because this is what I was called to do!!!
 I am blogging in response to a "naysayer", (they have no idea they was negative but I am sharing so that you learn a lesson on sticking to your guns!! ( thoughts, ideas, plans....not an actual gun...lol (i don't like those things and they kill people so please know i am NOT talking about a weapon! lol... follow me...

Today I am Keeping my eye on the prize...why am I hear, what is my purpose?? TO HELP OTHER FOSTER KIDS!!! I am clear about this.
I realized I don't have to be a celebrity or have money, I have to have heart, will and take action....and I am doing the later!
Recently I went to ask someone in great authority/position to help me, they basically said my ideas were great, ( I didn't need them to tell me that..i needed their model for success on helping others..), but they said: "no one would take me serious or give money without the 501c3 yet!"

At that point I lost all of my respect for this person because I thought they were a visionary" a leader" but I realize....they are just another clone in society who feels that only "known" people or those with "Money" can make a difference.

I thought to myself, if money could solve problems vs ideas, a few good people and action, then why is Africa still starving?
why is Katrina victims still displaced,
why are people still homeless,.. because we have, "money" in place to help them???

 I hope you get my point--money is needed, is great BUT without the PERSON to volunteer or take time, money means nothing!!

I want to see change, one kid at a time!
 It may  seem slow but at least I will see the results and NOT a statistic!! I want to know how that "kid" that aged out is doing in 15 years..after he left...no what 350,000 kids on paper are "doing"!!!! follow me....
We as people need to get up get out and do something for a cause we believe in, nothing will change until WE do!! Stats mean NOTHING unless YOU SEE and know results, you can only know if you follow through adulthood, everything else....is a guess...

As you may know May is National Foster Care Awareness month--deemed by our president as a time to raise awareness, in your way, in your community about the issues of foster care!

This will be our 2nd event at the Mount Kisco Public Library May 18th 2-4 2nd floor conference room. 
Please RSVP!! (the room only holds 100!)  and last year, it was filled!!

We will be honoring people working with foster kids and a few young people aging out and going to school will be awarded a stipend to help them through the first semester!
We hope each winner will not care about the money but the fact that someone is thinking of them, following them through school and teaching them they must PAY IT FORWARD!!
We can only help each other by sharing what we know, then passing it on.
There are times when you will be tested on how much you believe in you or your ideas and faith...I say... keep your eye on the prize...aging out gracefully and with a future plan--even if its not exactly what you envisioned, its a plan!
I was told the other day after sharing that i was doing this event and will make NO money, (all food, items for event are donated) but i was still asked by a person: "why are you doing it if your not getting anything out of it"?  I was stunned but I know that MOST people are not awake and everyone wants to keep up with the Jones" - but not only was I not raised like that by my foster mother but I take on this work because SOMEBODY has too!!
And who better than I who lived through foster care? Life still is not perfect, (it never will be or I would be in "heaven" lol..) I know that 30,000 kids leaving a year and around 9,000 in care in my area....I can only help a few...but I'M OK with that!!
Don't allow negative or money hungry people into your head to make you think that your wrong for not wanting money for doing something you love!
We are still working on the 501c3 but that will not deter me from helping 4 kids a year, only health or death could stop me now.
 I know what a difference ONE person can make in the life of a foster kid who has NO FAMILY- I would NOT have made it through NYU without the help of a lovely lady, (R.I.P Mrs. Bauer)! So the point for today is to stay focused on what is right for YOU, stay true to what YOU believe, even if its not aligned with others, as long as its right, ethical, and will help you to help others...

life is short, when I leave there is only one song I could hear in my head: "If I can help somebody, as I travel along, then my living will not be in vain".. (writer unknown)... this is my favorite gospel hymn and my fav song since i came into foster care. I try not to let naysayers effect me, but i am human. Please know that I care about every foster child and I will do what i can, with what little I have to assure a few " get it" before they leave care! This is my mission with Fosterkidsunite, I hope your in!

Have a great day, smile, someone is watching you - you may make their day!! xo Tanya

finding your gift to survive economic times

Hi blog family!

I often say we ALL have a special gift we were born with! I believe that "gift" is a spare tool God gives us (or the universe if your not religious) to get ourselves or others thru something. Our "gift" (writing, singing, dancing, preaching, counseling, making art/inventions etc....serve as a great way to survive if you were laid off a job or having trouble because you did not receive the proper education or life experiences.. Example: What would Richard Prior, Steve Harvey, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Niki Minaj or Dr. Ben Carson be doing HAD THEY NOT found their gift?
There would be many lost, hopeless or dead souls/people! Why? Because I have heard people say that a "song, person or thought from that "inspired them" or made them want to go on in hard times!
You were born with divine purpose! What is that purpose! Chances are if you went thru foster care and no one ever discovered it....you still can. YOur gift is WHATEVER YOU DO 10x better than anyone else, with or without schooling!!  Dr. Ben Carson as a kid probably had a love for healing, Lady Gaga expressed herself thru music, Mozart created genius music...Freud had theorys in his head for a reason!! Micheal Jackson danced and inspired others ...
I challenge you today to find out what your gift is....
sit down and write how many times someone in the group home or after said YOU were talented in something...organizing, making things, keeping peace, singing, dancing, whatever.... think how many complements you often recieve for doing this "gift" that always gets YOU noticed?
Go, sing your heart out, write a book, make selective jewelry, provide a service the world needs!
Times are hard for many who lost their jobs, and cannot find anything after a year of looking, actively... sometimes being unemployed, can lead you to your gift! 

1. find your gift: singing, dancing, promoting, radio voice, organizing people, teaching, inventing, working with kids, disabled, mentally challenged,  (perhaps you could start the 1st "special needs" babysitting service...
Example:you would start with trade school for child care (to get certified), perhaps you would save $50 go to local police station and get your fingerprints checked to show you are ok to work with kids (these are examples)... perhaps you could advertise in your local paper that you are available... 
2. assess HOW it will make you money and help others...(singing...find out all the local spots that will let you sing for hat donations or pay....if your good, everyone will want to hear you sing, they will tell others...try to book weddings, barmitza's, talent contest etc...get a permit to sing in the subway..

 GO FIND your own work!!!
Make a business plan (look up how to on google or youtube)
Go to sites like Vistaprint.com make your business cards for less $, get clients by doing research on WHO needs your services..phone book still works!! target your audience: social workers, residents, businesses etc....
Now life always throws a curvball, but what will YOU do with it and HOW will you use your talents to get you thru hard economic times? You can do it, You are NOT hear by accident! YOu have divine purpose, find out what IT is... It is never too late, start your new life...TODAY, right now, decide who YOU will be, what you stand for and how you will get paid, legally with your morals...in this society...you deserve ALL this world and life has to offer, don't settle don't lay down, stand up and fight for your god given right to be great!!
xo
Tanya

knowing u have divine purpose

Hi blog family!! Don't be startled!

I decided to do a makeover ..just for fun, i like me the way i am and only wear makeup for tv...but i was thinking  maybe we should all do a mental makeover!! :)

I am saddend every time i hear of a young person, like Amy Winehouse dying. Why? because it does not matter how she went, she is gone and we have lost a person who may have been caught up in addiction BUT her voice was her tool that God/the universe allowed her to use to heal our pain.
We all have divine purpose; homeless, addicts, old, young, at some point, you touched someone's life! This is not to say your life has to be good it could be in pure chaos but if Most of us think back, we have effected somene sometime somewhere!!

Know that you have divine purpose and you are needed by the universe.
Without each and everyone of you, something may NOT get done today.
Without you Something MAY get done today, that was not  intended..
.think of how you help others,
how you love others, how you have hurt or changed others, at the end of the day when we die, ask yourself: what have I done, to change the world, starting with me.....it is never too late to change....

you are loved, divine and special have a lovely night xo

Tanya

what will I need to get to my greatness?

Hi blog family!
back to school for the kids, back to work for us.
 I know its hard..but you are doing it!! stay strong and postive.
 Have you ever wanted something so bad but you just keep NOT getting it-so it seems? $, fame, cars, friends, jobs, skills, clothes, life style, career, (ie..doctor, judge)..talent....
I say to you ask yourself why do you want it?Do you need it or just want it to feel great or look great or be great?
 if its the last,,go for it!.
For instance if you wanted to be more known/visible at work...not so great UNLESS it was so you could help teach/show other unnoticed workers its not so hard to be noticed for your good work and how you respect and treat others.Wants: The cause of why you do it or want "it" is very important because if it is a good reason...you will keep trying until the very end-even when others discourage you.At the end of our lives you want to be remembered for the good you did or who you helped, saved or changed, not by the outfits you wore or the people you hung with or the house you lived in! When you think of wanting something so bad, (going back to school- trying to be a doctor one day or a singer or a bball player.. over 25, math teacher), think of why you are doing it, is it for the love or for the fame....it is never too late if for the right reason. I know a lady that became a rollerblade pro at 80!! she wanted to show other seniors, life is not over, until you die!! thanks to her, i started rollerblading/skating at 18...others that saw her lost 200 pounds--because the 80 year old inspired them!..the reason was good...

keep all your dreams alive, daily by writing them down and looking at them everyday..visualization very important!
you are forever young as you feel and do...but remember your never too young or old  to leave a legacy--while your alive-- so do ALL things with GOOD intention and purpose-because this is what you will be remembered by and others may follow or find their destiny by watching you! We all have divine purpose--find yours!!
 xo Tanya

Parents purpose

hi blog family!

I know it was hard being in care, especially if you were taken from your parents, they died or they gave you away.

I have good news for you that should help you get it! Don't carry bad emotions into adulthood, express what you need to now. Work on how to make you better now. Yesterday already happend!

YOUR PARENTS ONLY JOB SOMETIMES--IS TO GET YOU HERE!

yes, you heard me right. not all parents were meant to raise the children they birth. 

Why?

 Because the universe has many good people waiting to help you in your life journey.

 You must always remember this life is not about YOU, it's about WHAT you do to save or change a life.  What example are you setting for your kids to make their lives better and more productive?

You were born with a gift that no one else has. 

You were born to keep someone else from dying or being sad. You were born to find a cure for cancer, AIDS. You were born to have your great kids - who will rule this planet with their new innovative ideas!

You were born for a reason!

Now that you know this-live your life EVERY day thinking: what is my mission TODAY to find out what my gifts are AND how can I help save or change a life today?

Your problems always seem smaller when you are helping others. Things may be rough at times-as life bring many things our way-especially fosterkids it seems but don't take it personal, consider it a challenge or lesson to learn.When your back is against the wall- will you come out fighting or wither away because you are scared? NOT you came this far certainly nothing is worse than losing a parent or siblings to foster care! If you made it through- think of why and then why not you? not everyone is made as strong as you-that is why you are chosen!

 Life has many challenges-but you must face them with your head high and walk proud because the universe needs you and someone needs your help- who are you going to help while helping yourself become the great star that you are? Go out into the world each day shinning like a star! You have divine purpose xo Tanya