"My name is Avery. The #fostercaresystem, and changes in guardianship, has been my story since before I was 4. Between moving through family members, hospitalizations, emergency shelters and foster homes, I've been moved 11 times.
I am only 14. I watched the people I loved come and go, as well as the places I called home. When I was removed from my mother's care, her rights were never dissolved, despite it being 10 years of no visits, no phone calls, nothing. To this day, despite a loving home, #DHS legally has to fight for reunification, despite my mother being unable to provide a stable home. This story is not unique, but is shared throughout the thousands of kids who spend their lives in #fostercare. All these stories of neglect and abuse you hear on the news, it's not new. It's been happening for years. Longer then I've been alive. Kids fail to find good homes, not because they aren't fit for one, but because there is simply not enough homes. I was lucky enough to be put with my (hopefully) forever home. I have a loving mom who has fought for my every need and want. She has pushed me to make my past not a definition, but a lesson. One that can be learned by everyone. These kids, especially teenagers, have faced trauma and fear for years. Yes, they may act out, they may push you away. I've been down that path myself. But we want a place to call home. We want families. We want to feel the love thats been taken away, so yes we harbor anger, depression, fear. But that is simply the remains of our old self, and we need you to help find who we are. There are so many ways to help us, but start out by opening your home. It's hard work and there will be hard times, but you can change our lives. There is never enough homes, enough families, enough hope. But you can change that. You can be the difference!" _Avery, current foster child #HumansofFosterCare #fosterteen #fosterchild #fosterparent #foreverhome
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