The Foster Care Story You Need to Know and Share

Storytelling is one of our most effective forms of connection through communication we share with one another across the entire world. Our stories are an intricate part of the bonds that connect us to each other. Whether we're delivering the greatest of gestures or teeny-tiny tales, our voices matter. Our stories come in an infinite display of shapes and forms, all revealing details of our past, present, or future. With these thoughts weighing heavily on her heart, Cara Finger, founder of non-profit organization—My Bag My Story, has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the foster care and adoption system. As she became aware of the fact that foster children are often provided with nothing more than plastic trash bags to contain all of their belongings, Cara was moved to launch the #EndTheTrashBag initiative. Elevating heartfelt stories, through their Dignity Program, My Bag My Story has partnered with more than 30 Tennessee-based organizations to empower children in the foster care system. By providing children with high-quality duffel bags and backpacks, My Bag My Story aims to nurture a sense of pride and ownership to children in the foster care system faced with moving from one temporary location to another foster home. If this devastating insight is concerning for you, sadly, it's a heartbreaking reality for countless children in the United States foster care system. This an important part of the foster care story that you need to know and share with others.

Many thanks to My Bag, My Story for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are completely my own. This content may contain affiliate links. #MyBagMyStoryMIN

The Foster Care Story You Need to Know and Share

Understanding Foster Care

Consider the fact that there are an estimated 400,000 children in the United States foster care system. Placement in foster care is used to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children whose parents are unable to care for them at the time. The end goal is progressing toward reunification as soon as possible.

 

There are various types of foster care, including emergency placements, short-term placements, long-term placements, kinship care (placement with relatives), and therapeutic or treatment foster care for children with special needs. Approximately 20,000 youth age out of the foster care system at age 18 (or 21 in some states) every year, without being reunited with families or adopted. You can help. Your support is needed.

Change the Narrative

Leading with compassion, My Bag My Story is a non-profit organization with the goal of working to change the narrative while improving the lives of children in foster care. This heartfelt initiative serves children in foster care as they are moved from one temporary home to another foster home.

Often carrying their possessions in a trash bag, My Bag My Story donates a high-quality, durable backpack or duffle bag to foster children. These bags are necessary, practical,  and represent support and recognition to help foster children feel valued.

One Bag Purchased = One Bag Donated

The beauty of My Bag My Story is that for every bag that you purchase, one bag is given to a child navigating the foster care system. Let's help #endthetrashbag by working together.

"I started My Bag My Story after becoming a foster parent and watching children always having their belongings in a trash bag or grocery sack or nothing. Everyone kept saying this was normal. I said it doesn’t have to be normal, so I set out to have bags made for kids," said Cara Finger, Founder of My Bag My Story. "Having a bag to call your own instead of a trash bag gives a child dignity and makes them feel valued. A bag seems so small but makes a huge difference in their foster care experience. Making a child feel like they are worth more than trash is so important to me."

Through the My Bag My Story donation program, every dollar donated goes towards providing a child in foster care with their own personal bag for their belongings. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, My Bag My Story is sustained by support from local and national corporations, including- Dell, The Predators Foundation, St. George’s Episcopal Church, and Target.

This is the foster care story you need to know about and share within your network. You can make a difference. Donate to support or order your bag from My Bag My Story today and one bag will be given to one of countless child navigating the foster care system.

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