#GreaterThan Series
Real Stories From Foster Youth.
Why #GreaterThan?
#GreaterThan is a storytelling series built on the beliefs that:
Every foster youth is greater than the statistics used to define them.
Every young adult has the power to be greater than the circumstances they were born into.
And all of us have the chance to be greater today than we were yesterday.
These aren't inspiration stories for the sake of it. They're proof that the statistics were never the whole story.
If you have experience in foster care, we’d love to hear your story.
Whether you’re reflecting on your experience in or aging out of foster care, sharing where you are today and what you’re working toward, or celebrating a recent win you’re proud of, your story matters—and we want to hear it.
As a thank you for sharing, we’ve partnered with One Simple Wish, an organization that grants wishes up to $425 to individuals impacted by foster care. Our team will submit a wish on your behalf as a small token of our appreciation.
Get Started
Meet the Voices of #GreaterThan ↓
JHAMASA LEWIS-ADAMS / QUESTION EVERYTHING
"The foster care system taught me to be self motivated and leave no corner unturned. It taught me resilience, independence, hard work, determination and above all, strategy and timing."
AMNONI MYERS / BE RESILIENT IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY
"Every young person in the system should know that they are valued and loved despite what they may be experiencing in the moment or experienced in the past."
FELICITAS REYES / IT'S IMPORTANT TO SPEAK UP
"I think that all youth transitioning out of the foster care system needs help with basic necessities. If we can continue to provide those for them as they exit, they will have a better chance in doing the things that will help them move up."
RACHEL LIN / DON'T LET THE IDEA OF FAILURE HOLD YOU BACK
"Mistakes can teach you to be resilient, strong, loving, caring, and so much more!"
Tyraughn Barnett / It was so unexpected.
"I've been in 30 foster homes, 2 group homes, 16 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools all from the ages of 7-21."
Senator Scott Dibble / Our family is not complete if you are not a part of it.
"Listen to and engage young people themselves in work of making things better. They know the shortcomings of the foster care system. They are best situated to articulate the solutions. Incredible personal and leadership development opportunities for those young people lie in efforts to build a movement and campaign for change. Be open to innovation, to changes, to different ways to use “the money.” It is not your money, it is held and used in trust. Protecting jobs, institutions, the status quo is a moral failure if those things are not doing much to make young people’s lives better."
Shivonne Costa / I have to be a role model.
"You may have started out with a different childhood than you wanted, and you may feel scared going into adulthood in a way that you hadn’t planned. But whatever your story, it is yours. Never be ashamed to let your experiences shape you to be better. Never be reluctant to help others who are also hurting. Let your past mold your future into something beautiful, just like a diamond that has been pressed and purified. You have something special to offer this world… never forget that."
Kayla Mecklenburg
"If you are in the system now, keep your head up - even when you feel like nobody is there for you. Always keep your dreams and hopes up. Even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes, remember that there is someone who cares for you.