[finallyfree05]

Hey guys! We are in the beginning stages of creating a magazine, Grab the Rope. Since we are both former foster youth we decided to put together a magazine for current foster youth, trying to reassure them that life will get better, they will survive through foster care, and that they are not alone. All we need from you is if you or someone you know was/is in foster care we ask that you would share your stories, or allow your foster child to share theirs. We don't need names, we just ask that you would provide your sex, age and state.

If you wish to remain anonymous, feel free to email us either your story, poem or song you/they have written to:
fosteraware@yahoo.com

Thank you for helping us help others.


Pamela and Mark

You can also find more info at:
MySpace.com - Grab the Rope - 24 - Male - SAN DIEGO, California - www.myspace.com/grabtherope

[stevenstwin]

This sounds like an exciting project! Can you be more specific about what kinds of detail you would like? I have a former FS who would like to contribute...he's been in and out of Foster care most of his life and is now 17 and on an independent living program. He'd like to contribute, but needs some guidance or structure of some sort to follow...maybe you have some specific questions he could answer?
ps - I hope you DO acknowledge though, that foster care is not always something that has to be "survived" or that these youth are "alone" - I believe many, including my son, have developed pretty close relationships with their foster parents. I know after looking at your site this may not be the case for the two of you, as it sounds like you had multiple placements and no deep connections, but it DOES happen for many kids.

Originally Posted by finallyfree05

Hey guys! We are in the beginning stages of creating a magazine, Grab the Rope. Since we are both former foster youth we decided to put together a magazine for current foster youth, trying to reassure them that life will get better, they will survive through foster care, and that they are not alone. All we need from you is if you or someone you know was/is in foster care we ask that you would share your stories, or allow your foster child to share theirs. We don't need names, we just ask that you would provide your sex, age and state.

If you wish to remain anonymous, feel free to email us either your story, poem or song you/they have written to:
fosteraware@yahoo.com

Thank you for helping us help others.


Pamela and Mark

You can also find more info at:
MySpace.com - Grab the Rope - 24 - Male - SAN DIEGO, California - www.myspace.com/grabtherope

[finallyfree05]

Yes, you are absolutely right. It does happen. Even though I did move around a lot, I didn't have a 'bad' experience. There were just times that I felt like the only one going through, any situation really. Not just foster care.

Some questions he could answer...
How long have you been in foster care?
How many placements have you been in?
Do you feel being in foster care has affected relationships with your peers at school?
What, If anything, would you change about the way the foster care system works?
What was the biggest task, emotion, or 'crisis' you had to overcome as a teenager? and how did you handle it?
If you could offer one piece of advice to other teens, specifically those in foster care, what would it be?

Those are a few to give a general idea as to what we're looking for. I'm really excited that you responded. Also, if you have any advice for teens as a parent, we'd like to add that as well.
Again, thanks for your response, we'll keep you updated on our progress.

[stevenstwin]

I'll pass these to him...I can't guarantee he'll be really fast about it, but I'll see what I can do ;-) I'll either send it to you, or let him do so directly if he's cocerned about confidentiallity ...I think he's still going through the "teenage crisis" you mention, LOL

Originally Posted by finallyfree05

Yes, you are absolutely right. It does happen. Even though I did move around a lot, I didn't have a 'bad' experience. There were just times that I felt like the only one going through, any situation really. Not just foster care.

Some questions he could answer...
How long have you been in foster care?
How many placements have you been in?
Do you feel being in foster care has affected relationships with your peers at school?
What, If anything, would you change about the way the foster care system works?
What was the biggest task, emotion, or 'crisis' you had to overcome as a teenager? and how did you handle it?
If you could offer one piece of advice to other teens, specifically those in foster care, what would it be?

Those are a few to give a general idea as to what we're looking for. I'm really excited that you responded. Also, if you have any advice for teens as a parent, we'd like to add that as well.
Again, thanks for your response, we'll keep you updated on our progress.

[finallyfree05]

Originally Posted by stevenstwin

...I think he's still going through the "teenage crisis" you mention, LOL

Lol, well, I'm 21 and swear I'm still going through one.
Thanks again for your interest...our goal right now is to have our first issue out in Oct. but, unfortunately we haven't gotten many people that are interested. So, if you come across someone else, please pass it on...the more the merrier!

[Boulderbabe]

Have you contacted the Adoption Exchange? This sounds like something that might be up their alley.

[Vitality08]

you should also post on Foster Parents Community and Online Training

There's already a magazine for foster children...not that that should stop you from starting your own.

I don't remember the link right now though. I'm sure someone on here is familiar with it.