FOSTER AMERICA 

Preserving the values care in Foster Care 

By Coach Frank Sagasta 

Once upon a time, in a small called — Grand Terrace, California; there lived a young boy named Frankie. Frankie was a foster child who had been through numerous homes and faced countless challenges from homelessness, to sexual and emotional abuse in his short life. Despite the hardships he endured, Frankie had an unwavering determination to achieve. 

From a young age, Frankie had a passion for football, learning, and children. During the summer, he would spend hours at the local child care developing skills, along with his drive toward learning from the local library devouring books on various subjects. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, and he dreamed of one day attending college and having a family. However, as a foster child, the odds seemed stacked against him. In fact, in the years within the system of California. Frankie watched kids come and go from the placements. Some never learned how to follow the rules and were sent away. Others never learned how to control their emotions and their actions put them into hospital for behavioral (5150) institutions. 

But with much of this going on. Frankie refused to let his circumstances define him. He worked tirelessly, excelling in school and participating in extracurricular activities. Only a few of his teachers know his circumstances. Of course, those teachers recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. They became his mentors, guiding him through the challenges he faced. However, the biggest impact on Frankie’s life was his group home counseler Michael Smalls. As he grew older, Frankie was ready to graduate high school and the home. His resilience and hard-work paid off. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any family or idea of what he was going to do when the time came to graduate both programs. After graduating, Frankie lived with a childhood friend for a short bit. Than found himself moving to Bullhead City, Arizona. Where he lived with his stepfather and brother. He worked various jobs, but he really enjoyed construction. 

Frankie, becoming the first person in his family to attend college. College was a whole new world for Frankie along with being married at a young age. But he embraced every opportunity, immersing himself in his new surroundings with his new family. And immersing himself in his studies and engagements in volunteering in the community. After having children of his own. He dropped out of college after three years and worked harder than ever to support his family. However, Frankie never stopped learning from his every experience. He has continued, a tradition or legacy for learning. Frankie believes he can make a difference, to show others that success is possible, regardless of their background. 

Frankie has became a passionate advocate for foster care reform, working tirelessly to improve the system and provide better support for children in needs in foster care and within education. He started a nonprofit organization that offered mentorship programs, educational resources, and counseling services to children. But after Covid-19, he had to shut down. Frankie hasn’t stopped talking or advocating about the two factors that are affecting our country’s children. Today, he has worked within the educational system for more than ten years. Frankie has spent the years teaching but also learning how to improve the lives of others under him. He believes this passion, purpose, and love comes from his experience of being a foster child. Frankie’s journey from a foster child to a successful advocate, teacher, and mentor serves as a reminder that no matter where we come from, we all have the potential to achieve. His story continues to inspire others, reminding them that success is not limited by public opinion or one's past but rather shaped by one's faith, love, motivation, determination and belief in oneself. I am confident that Frankie’s story became an inspiration to many, proving that with determination, resilience, faith, and support, foster children could overcome their circumstances and achieve greatness.

Before we end this short story; Frankie has also said; He considered this experience (foster care child) being lucky, and when I say this, I am not using this term loosely. The system has evolved into a constant plagued and destroyed children spiritually, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. It truly is a tragedy when you spend time looking into the foster care system. To think that one kid like Frankie, can be taken out of the care of a single mother struggling mentally that looked aftet him for years and then be placed into a hostile and volatile environment with individuals who are not fit is saddening. There are ongoing issues within the system, problems that nobody is really aware of or talking about. This concern scratches way further down than just the tip of the surface. 

According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) in 2010 there were around 60,000 children in the California foster care system on any given day. This accounts for 15% of the national total of 402,378 children. Of the 60,000 children in the California foster care system. 13,167 of those children are awaiting adoption. In fact, 39% of foster children in California are 5 years old or younger, 23% are six years old to ten years old, 22% are 11 to 15 years old, and 16% are 16 to 20. 46% of foster care children live in a foster home with a non-relative. 29% live in a relative’s home approved for foster care, 11% live in other types of housing, 6% live in group homes, and 8% live in institutional care.

P.S. 

I am confident that each of you have found something useful within this shorty blog. And I hope you spend a few minutes reading more about the tragedy within the foster care system in America. 

With gratitude,

Coach Frank Sagasta 

(c) coachingbeyond 2023