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Jed Boal reporting A group of adults who grew up in foster care, want to make a difference for children in the system today.
This family of survivors wants to reach out to the next generation of foster teens struggling with unique issues.
It's called U-FOSTER-SUCCESS:
Adults who know what it's like to be in foster homes and want to share a powerful message with kids in foster care today.
Barbara Feaster was physically and sexually abused the first 16 years of her life until she was placed in foster care.
Now she and other foster care alums in Utah want to share their struggles and successes with teens in the system today.
Feaster says she often felt invisible as a child.
Barbara Feaster/Former Foster Care Child: “THERE'S BEEN SO MANY TIMES IN MY LIFE I'VE BEEN DISREGARDED AND UNDERESTIMATED...AND YOU JUST CAN'T BUY INTO THAT."
These alums started U Foster Success six months ago. They will form support groups and get together with foster teens.
Barbara Feaster/Former Foster Care Child: “EVERYBODY HAS GREATNESS WITHIN THEM...NOT JUST SOME PEOPLE...WE ALL HAVE IT INSIDE US...AND CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE NEED TO KNOW THAT."
Celeste Edmunds/UFOSTERsuccess: “WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO VOICE. BUT, WE ALSO WANT TO CREATE A PLATFORM...AND WANT TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FORSTER CHILDREN WHO WANT TO SPEAK TO DO SO."
When Feaster entered foster care she felt like she didn't matter, but her case worker helped her turn her life around.
She wants others to know there's no shame in seeking help. There are people who care.
"HEALING IS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. THAT POTENTIAL IS INSIDE EVERYONE."
Today Feaster is married, she's a mom, and an advocate for children.
She says through healing, everyone can find the light at the end of their darkest hours.
