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Foster Nation

@thefosternation

12K

followers

862

following

We support & empower foster youth through:
✨ Sparks mentorship community
🎁 Kind Space comfort & celebration gifts
📣 #GreaterThan series
Learn more! 👇

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His past is part of his story, but it doesn’t get to write the ending. 🩵

Meet Niko, a psychology student at the University of West Georgia who is turning his lived experience in foster care into a driving force for his future.

👉 Learn more about Niko in his full #GreaterThan story at the link in our bio or at fosternation.org/greater-than/nico-s.
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#FosterNation #FosterYouth #FosterYouthVoice #FosterCare by @thefosternation

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8 days ago

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11 days ago

What happens when you refuse to let foster care define what you believe you’re capable of?

For Grace, it means building a life rooted in faith, community, purpose, and a deep desire to help others see their own potential. 🩵

From graduating from UC Irvine to pursuing her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, Grace is building a future filled with the things that matter most to her.

👉 Read Grace's #GreaterThan story at the link in our bio or visit fosternation.org/greater-than/grace-s.
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#FosterNation #FosterYouth #FosterCareAwareness #FosterCare by @thefosternation

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14 days ago

I loved getting to sit down with Merril and Abbigail and hear about their experience with Foster Nation’s Sparks Mentorship Community. 🩵

Their connection is such a beautiful reminder of how much it can mean to simply have someone in your corner.

And here’s the thing...becoming a Sparks coach is a low-lift, high-impact opportunity. You commit to just 3 hours a month for 6 months, can meet with your protege virtually or in person, and Foster Nation provides the curriculum and support along the way.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to show up, listen, and be there.

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to support a young person who has experienced foster care, learn more about becoming a Sparks coach at fosternation.org/sparks!

#fostercare #fostering #fosterteens #teensinfostercare #mentorship taken in Los Angeles, California by @thefosternation

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16 days ago

A childhood dream, a hard-earned milestone, and a future dedicated to helping others. 🩵

Quanesha’s acceptance into the USC Master of Social Work program is more than an academic achievement. It’s a reflection of the resilience, perseverance, and community that helped her get there.

Now, she hopes to become a licensed clinical social worker, start a nonprofit, and mentor foster youth.

Read Quanesha's #GreaterThan story at fosternation.org/greater-than/quanesha-b or tap the link in our bio!
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#FosterCare #FosterCareAwareness #FormerFosterYouth #FosterNation by @thefosternation

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23 days ago

Meet Abbigail 🤍 an incredible and accomplished young woman who also happens to be someone who both experienced and “aged out” of the foster care system. She is now a protege with @thefosternation ‘s Sparks Program that helps connect youth who have experienced foster care with coaches who can support, guide, and come alongside them.
Abbigail’s story is important. Kids who have experienced the system are important. Let’s do more to make sure they feel seen, loved, and heard.

#fostercare #fostering #mentorship #fosterteens taken in Southern California by @thefosternation

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25 days ago

She once needed someone in her corner. Now, she’s building a future where she can be that person for others. 🩵

Laila graduated from her dream college with a Bachelor’s degree and is currently pursuing her Master’s with hopes of building a career in higher education.

Her experience in foster care taught her the importance of mentorship, community, and consistent connection, which shaped her passion for creating those same opportunities for others.

There’s so much more to Laila’s story. Learn more about the future she’s building at the link in our bio or visit fosternation.org/greater-than/laila-k.
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#FosterNation #FosterYouth #FosterCareAwareness #GreaterThan #FosterCare by @thefosternation

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a month ago

Congratulations to the Sparks protégés who completed the program last week! 👏

We’re so proud of you and the time, effort, and heart you invested in your future over these past six months. From setting goals to advancing toward what’s next, you showed up for yourselves, and we hope you know just how much that matters.

And a big thank you to the coaches who supported you and cheered you on every step of the way!

You all will always have a place in the Sparks community! 🩵

Thank you to @gra_la_ for hosting our graduation dinner. Your pizza made the night extra special! 🍕😋
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#fosternation #fosteryouthsupport #sparks #mentorship #fostercareawareness by @thefosternation

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a month ago

Five years ago, Mareena didn’t have a degree. Today, she’s graduated with honors from Chico State University with a GED, five associate degrees, and a bachelor’s degree! 🎓

But what Mareena is most proud of isn’t the diplomas. It’s the determination and perseverance that got her there, including the support of her husband, kids, and sister.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that where you start does not determine where you’ll end. With a vision for her future, Mareena kept going, and look how far she’s come! 🩵

Read her full #GreaterThan story at the link in our bio or at fosternation.org/greater-than/mareena-p-v.
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#FosterCare #FosterCareAwareness #FormerFosterYouth #FosterNation by @thefosternation

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a month ago

Just a couple of weeks ago, Sparks proteges and coaches met for the first time at our Fall 2026 Cohort Kickoff. ✨

Since then, they have started meeting one-on-one with dozens of sessions already taking place! 👏

Every one of those meetings represents an hour someone chose to make space for connection, with a coach making room in their week and a young person investing in their future. That’s the power of showing up. 🩵

So far things are going well! Proteges have enjoyed getting to work with their mentors.

While coaches are already seeing so much greatness in their proteges!

They are encouraging them along the way! Sometimes, having someone believe in you makes all the difference.

And they’re only getting started! Over the next six months, these coaches and proteges will continue building trust, working toward personal and professional goals, and navigating life’s next steps together.

We’re so grateful for the partners who help make our Sparks community even stronger, including @altpath_findyourway! AltPath supports our protégés with career-building resources and joined us at kickoff to share more about their work and how they can support our cohort along the way.

Mentorship is one piece of the puzzle. Access to resources, opportunities, and a community of support helps young people keep moving toward the futures they are defining for themselves. That’s what Sparks is all about.

Know someone with foster care experience who could benefit from a mentor? Share this post with them. 💌
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#FosterNation #Sparks #Mentorship #FosterYouth #FosterCare by @thefosternation

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a month ago

The odds weren’t in her favor, but she never let that stop her.

Meet Merissa, a college graduate and future master’s student in Rehabilitation Psychology.

After turning 18, Merissa navigated college without family support and faced moments when she wanted to give up. But she kept going, not only for herself, but to show her younger siblings what’s possible.

“I think if younger me could look at where I am right now, they would not only be very confused but also very relieved that our struggles have not been for nothing.”

Read her full #GreaterThan story at the link in our bio or visit fosternation.org/greater-than/merissa-a!
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#FosterNation #FosterYouth #FosterCare #FosterCareAwareness by @thefosternation

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a month ago

From an empty room to one full of new, special connections. 🩵

Our kickoff event brought together foster youth protégés and volunteer coaches in the new Sparks cohort for a morning of getting to know one another, sharing laughs, and beginning a new mentorship journey together.

One protégé told us that although she’s an introvert, she was happy she came. She even thought the networking activities were fun! 🥹

Sometimes all it takes is a welcoming space, a few friendly faces, and the courage to show up. 😊

We can’t wait to see the relationships this cohort builds over the next six months. ✨

A warm thank you to our panelists Janel, Julia, @jaysongasper, and Lissette for talking about your Sparks experience to help new protégés and coaches prepare for what’s ahead!

👉 Interested in joining Sparks? Learn more about our mentorship community at the link in our bio!
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#Sparks #Mentorship #Community #FosterNation #FosterYouth by @thefosternation

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a month ago