R.I.P little brother..Michael Bublé - "Home" Official Music Video

happy 45th bday to my baby brother Robert - we miss u dearly!!
for anyone who has lost a sibling, living without family - know that you are loved and that person's spirit still lives on thru you and by you helping others!!
I was greatful that God gave me 41 years with my brother, my friend lost his sister when she was 15!! Always be grateful for ANY time you have with a family member you love and that loved you unconditionally!! Nothing is promised in this life accept death and taxes!! Love your siblings if they are in a group home or separated from you write them a journal every day, call them, fb Skype them, send a letter, remember their birthdays...remember to say I love you before you go to bed and remember God made siblings to get you thru tuff times when parents aren't around!!xo

R.I.P to all the siblings lost who grew up in foster care!!

hardest part of your childnood?

What has been the hardest part of your childhood?

hi blog family!!



what has been the hardest part of your childhood?

was it being born to a person that could not take care of you?

was it before foster care...neglect, abuse, abandonment?
having no parents due to death or illness?
losing your family?
no family that came to rescue you from foster care?
feeling like no one routed for you from day one?

STOP THE PITY PARTY PROCESS!!!!

The fact that you are live....you have no hardest part!!

I know times seem hard when you have no birth family to claim you, when you have been in group homes all of your life and never had an adult tell you how special you are or that everything will be alright.

I know what it feels like to cry yourself to sleep because you have no one to give you a hug and tell you you are loved...

If you remember God is ALWAYS rooting for you, sending you love, (if you stop, breath and catch it, feel it when he is present---you will know because every bone in your body WANTS to do right, wants to be kind, wants to embrace love, allows you too look for love, peace and serenity!!!

You may be young but you are the most precious gift to this earth!! God has many plans for you BUT you must get off the couch....and go outside of the box!!!
You are human and it is normal to feel "unloved" when your parents gave you away or you lose them to tragedy. It is ok to feel "down" but what I don't want you to do...is feel sorry for yourself to the point that you are not being motivated to live your best life!!
Wake up Each day....and start over, with love, kindness and education of self...learn something new, befriend a person you admire, find a great role model..
Smile.....
breath
smile again
and get out of the house and off the couch!!! this is a big world, dream big, love hard and learn...you are NEVER along!! God loves you and you are highly favored!!!

the views expressed in this blog are of my own and from MY living in group and foster homes, my life experiences....I am not a Dr. and I only blog so that you may be encouraged to live a better life and NOT use foster care as an excuse to live a bleak life!! Get up Get out and Do Something...(Macy Gray)...lol xo
Tanya

how to tell if you have friends

Hi blog family!

you know how to tell when you have good friends?? You will find out who REALLY is your friend when..

1. Someone close dies ie..like my brother
2. you go homeless
3. get in trouble with the law, even if its a misunderstanding and your vindicated, when you get locked up and try to make a call".....see how many can get your kids, get bail or even visit!!!
4. You are having surgery and need a ride
5. You have cancer
6. You getting a divorce
7. Your money is frozen in your bank...
8. You are suicidal, homicidal or abusing drugs/alcohol

ALWAYS CHOOSE YOUR "FRIENDS CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE NO FAMILY- THEY WILL BE THE ONES WHO HAVE YOUR BACK IN HARD TIMES!!

THEY WILL OFFER SUPPORT OR IDEAS ON HOW TO GET HELP

THEY WILL LEND YOU THERE COUCH, $, TIME AND LOVE---WHENEVER YOU NEED IT!! AS LONG AS ITS NOT HABITUAL...( I DID NOT SAY THEY CAN BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, I MEAN WHEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION YOU CAN COUNT ON THEM BECAUSE YOU WOULD DO THE SAME!!):)

I FOUND OUT WHEN MY BABY BROTHER DIED WHO MY TRUE FRIENDS WHERE AND WHO CARING PEOPLE WHOM I KNEW BUT DID NOT EXPECT THEIR SUPPORT - AND GOT IT BECAUSE THEY WERE GOOD HUMAN BEINGS WHO KNEW PAIN IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.

CHOOSE WISELY - look for support, growth, potential, greatness and love in friends- they will expect it back from you - as should be!

 LIFE CAN BE GOOD, WITHOUT FAMILY, IF U CHOOSE GREAT FRIENDS!! don't allow bitterness into your life - your life is now what YOU make it!!

NYer Of The Week: Writer Inspires Foster Care Children To Share Their Stories

NYer Of The Week: Writer Inspires Foster Care Children To Share Their Stories
Our speaker for May 16th - Liz Welch!! Amazing journalist! FosterKidsUnite thanks Liz and her siblings for sharing their story and helping other kids in care!

Mayor Micheal Cindrich, (left) Hon. Kathy E. Davidson, (at podium), Tanya Cooper, Founder - FosterKidsUnite (blog).read event at chappaquapatch.com (story was by Tom)

*If everyone shared their bad experience in life, others would be able to move forward. At some point we all have lost a mom or dad and for others, a sibling.. Share, you will be surprised to see what we ALL have in common!! I always say: I have no secrets because God did not bring me through something for nothing!! lol

Keep sharing those who lost both parents, in foster care, you never know who's life you will change or save!!
Our event to raise awareness was a success! I love my town. I have built so many life lasting connections here! I could not do this work (while searching for a sponsor), without all of my brothers great friends!!

Big thanks to Our Mayor Cindrich for helping us out!
Fazzinga Roofing in Bedford Hills, :) you are all amazing,

Our honorees were amazing, thank you your Hon. Kathy E. Davidson, your work is very important to children and families!
Thank you Norma Staley for the 17 lives you have touched, keeping siblings together, believing in your foster kids, even when you are told they "can't"...amazing work..God always has the last say!!
Sen. Greg Ball, thanks for awarding proclamations, FosterKidsUnite believes community is everyone working together to bring awareness, thank you and your staff!
BIG THANKS!!!!!

- thanks to those who provided food!!
 our event was a hit!
No event is great without food!! lol




 Furman Printing - Bedford Hills
my partner Megan, thank you for everything you do!! "we never give up"

Hi blog family!

Don't forget award winning Journalist, Liz Welch, "The Kids Are All Right" sharing her family memoir based on losing their parents 3 years apart! May 16th 4-6pm Mount Kisco Public Library!
 RSVP!!!
free event to the public, (refreshments)


while I am embarrassed to show this picture, I want you to look closely at how thin I was, how my hair had fallen out - I first came into foster care around 5 but I came to the suburbs, (my first "foster home"), around 6 and then to this home around 7. As you can see I was extremely thin the first years, I had came malnourished and SO hungry!! It was due to my birth mothers addiction that we would often be left alone to fend for ourselves, which resulted in eating only what we could find!

Don't be sad for me, I made it through! I wanted anyone who is in  a bad situation now and think you can't survive, You can - you are a winner! Sometimes we have to go through bad experiences to become who we are!

If I had not been given away by my mom due to her addiction, I would be less likely to have a need to be an advocate for foster kids!
I am grateful God spared my life and even though I was abused at a young age by two foster brothers in my foster homes, (one went to jail for 7 years for abusing a 15 year old from the school he worked at and " his 4 year old niece, (who he really served no time for because he "told" what he did to her...so much for justice).
You can look at things and be sad or be thankful for how strong it made you. I have to remember that I had a host of other foster brothers - that were great! I also had my brother with me until I was 18 and signed myself back in to girls residence in NYC! I want you to view your "problems and challenges" in a different light from now on - pull out the positive and process, talk about and release the negative effects!!
By speaking of the good that came out of the bad, you minimize the pain and sadness that can come from being abandoned, abused and neglected!!!
God bought me through this for something!! Yes, I was born to a mother with addiction issues - I'm blessed she did not abort me!!
Yes, She went so far into her addiction, she neglected us and chose to not show up, losing her rights" - but she could have left us in our no lights, no food, no interaction with people home, and we could have burned down the house by accident, (that almost happened when my brother took matches to the curtain, thank God my sister was washing my hair and next to water!!)
Yes, I had to move around for my first 7 years and live with mass amount of mean kids who teased me - but I still was able to go to Paris and become a runway model! (I had the last laugh)
and Yes, I faced homelessness, being attacked outside a village park randomly, being hospitalized - left for dead, and becoming a mother at 23! But I could have been dead from the first two and becoming a mother actually helped me get the therapy I needed to heal from being abused and being left in an orphanage at a young age!
The point is: Nothing happens without reason! IF you are lucky to survive, God had a lesson for you to learn and grow from OR teach others!!
Stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop complaining about negative things in your life FOCUS on the good people, get out and see new places and remember life ain't nothing but a learning experience for us ALL, rich, poor, black, white - everyone must learn or go through something!!
You are blessed and I am thankful today looking at this picture (60 pounds later, lol), that I have food, some of the same friends from that class and grade! and I found people who love me and I am truly happy!! Find your happiness in the pile of life!!! xo
Tanya

Hi blog family!!

May 16th is approaching for our Celebration - did you RSVP?? tgirlcooper@yahoo.com - you don't want to miss this event!!
So much is going on in in the world, just this last month with Boston, who knows when you will encounter an orphan?
The world is a great place and you should be ready to help others - at any time!
Come out Thursday May 16th and learn about how to keep Siblings connected.
 I will be sharing a piece with you from my book: "Surviving Foster Care and Making It Work For You!" my heart breaking separation story from my older sister and baby brother!

Award wining Journalist, Liz Welch, "The Kids Are All Right" will be sharing her story of being separated from her siblings following the death of both parents, the subject of her memoir!
Congratulations to The Recipient of The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship!! Congrats to our honorees!

This is a FREE community event!
When:   May 16, 2013 - 4-6pm
Where: The Mount Kisco Public Library 2nd fl
*(if your on time and stay..refreshments served:) lol

Change cannot happen until community gets involved and WE ALL do SOMETHING to help those without parents and resources!!

Because of my brothers generous friends, someones life will be changed, R.I.P little brother!!:)

"Do what you can, with what you have" is what my brother Rob use to say and I share this with you,
so that you can NOT wait until you RICH, Famous, to help others
 but now with what little you have! Everyone has a gift! How can you use yours to help others?
You are your brother - and sisters keeper!!

 I have no "money" but I am able to help kids through people who do!
 Remember this: MOST people WANT to help - but sometimes you have to ask!

FosterKidsUnite is looking for a sponsor - please contact us if your interested!!
Smile, someone is watching you!! xo Tanya

Hi blog family!

it's that time of year again! Come out May 16th and celebrate foster care awareness month at The Mount Kisco Public Library 100 E. Main Street 2nd floor
We will be awarding aged out youth in college with The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship!!
We will also be honoring one of our judges who does a lot to help kids in family court!!
Our speaker this year: Award winning Journalist, Liz Welch - "The Kids Are All Right" !
Free event to the public. RSVP:tgirlcooper@yahoo.com

come out and save or change a life! Don't wait for other people or Money to help others, do what you can, when you can, while you can!!! God always sends us angels to help - you just gotta ask!

Learn to ask for help and never have too much pride to to get help helping others!!! Many people want to help and do what's right, they are just waiting for you to ask!

You are blessed and favored and I hope to see you May 16th 4-6pm at the Library, make sure you come up and say hi to me so I can personally thank you for viewing our blog!! xo

Tanya

Hi blog family!


the ultimate win is when YOU get life! knowing how to love YOURSELF,
help others, travel, be at peace, enjoy all that God has made, that is when you can find joy and win in life!!

I also wanted to point out another important factor, HEALTH!!!!!! nothing matters if you are in bad health!! NO MONEY, LOVE, POWER can cure bad health!

 Everyone knew my brother looked like a bill of health!
He was not!
CLOGGED ARTERIES!! FOOD KILLED HIM!! smoking cigarettes, not eating healthy...it catches up with us some time or another!!

Learn to eat to live!!
I do not want you to die young like Rob did! ( although I know lots of people who eat bad and smoke, and they live to be 95!! so each one of us is different remember!!!!

Although I always say we are lucky and blessed to have made it this far with our history!!!
I am thankful to God for allowing me to enjoy this lovely human being for 41 years!!!

 (*May 16th we will be honoring him by giving scholarships to those who are aged out in college and those who help foster kids!! Free event, (with food) lol...4-6pm Mount Kisco Public Library!! RSVP at tgirlcooper@yahoo.com you still have time to buy: Surviving Foster Care and Making It Work for you at AMAZON.com



Learn to eat healthy. Stay away from fried foods, vegetable oils, (use olive or canola), stay away from too much butter, sugar, breads...if you know it was NOT in the Garden of Eden, stay away!!

your diet should be 75% veggies, preferably raw..
.NO I am not a doctor but if the you eat a lot of red meats, pork and processed foods....your colon has to work harder to digest all that!
Less is best!
Also EXERCISE!!!
 learn to move, walk, run, bike, skate, basketball, swim, yoga...ANYTHING to keep your body moving and current!!!
A moving body is usually a better one!!
 Remember to eat to live, not because there is food!!!

Today learn to be ok with who YOU are but know how to love yourself by being the best you!! xo

Tanya

Hi blog family!

What a lovely day out today!! OK my camera skills are off!
For those of you in our area, May is National foster care awareness month and FosterKidsUnite is planning our 3rd annual Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship Ceremony!

Our speaker this year, award winning Journalist, Liz Welch! She will be sharing her story from the book her and her siblings wrote: "The Kids Are All Right" - a memoir on being orphaned after her parents sudden death 6 months apart! Liz does amazing work in NYC teaching foster siblings who were separated on how to stay connected.

I will also share my separation experience and tell you how you can help! Books will be available!

We are also honoring a judge from the 9th district and a foster parent that has nursed over 14 NYC babies back to health and home!!

Come celebrate our free event! We want our community to show our kids we care!

On today's notes.... enjoy each day like your last! Life is short and you can only do what you can do with what you have! I still have days when I feel discouraged but then word courage takes over...and I'm good! ups and downs are part of life, learn to process those feelings, work through them...and this too shall pass..
xo

Tanya



 

Hi Blog Family!

REMINDER:

Another snow day!!! Well I guest being cold and having a warm home is better than being cold..six feet under!! lol.. I am grateful for EVERY day above ground!

May is National foster care awareness month!! May 16th is FosterKidsUnite event at the Mount Kisco Public Library!! Free to public RSVP at: tgirlcooper@yahoo.com or on FB -The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship
Our Speaker this year...award winning Journalist: Liz Welch will be sharing her book: "The Kids are Alright", sharing her work she does to keep foster kids connected to their siblings when separated!

We will be honoring a Judge from Westchester County, a Foster parent that has helped over 15 babies back to health and home and one surprise honoree!!


_____________________________________________________________________________

Today's Topic:
STOP TALKING START DOING!!
1. write down your goals, ideas -short term...like today things to get finished - or long term...like finish by next week or month

2. Create an action plan - how to get what you want: do you need people help you? Do you need money? How much? How long will it take you to get that amount? Do you need materials? Find out what resources you need to complete your goals!!! Start gathering it all, one by one!!

3. Execute!!! this is the most important step that is usually left undone!!:( We find people to discourage us, we discourage ourselves, we don't follow thru with "THE PLAN"  - the one you wrote on paper!!

**like NIKE says: JUST DO IT!! DON' LET ANYONE, ANYTIME OR ANY THING STOP YOU FROM COMPLETING A GOAL FROM START TO FINISH!

IT CANNOT GET DONE.....UNLESS you DO IT!!!  LOL
HAVE A GREAT WEEK, SMILE GOD LOVES YOU AND THE UNIVERSE NEEDS YOU!!!
Tanya