Many thanks to My Bag, My Story for sponsoring this review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
My Bag My Story – Supporting Foster Youth (+ Amazon GC Giveaway!)
My husband and I talked about fostering before we even married. And while it took us over a decade, we followed through and became licensed foster parents about 8 years ago. Even though we were only licensed for two years that time, we had over 25 youth come through our doors; ages newborn to 12 years old. As fate would have it, we relicensed this past February! Currently, we have two foster children, a 20 month old and his newborn sister.
Foster life is a roller coaster. Nothing is ever certain until the ink is dry. And you just never know what the day will hold. If fostering interests you, check out some posts I wrote a few years ago on this topic:
Because we’re so closely tied to foster care, I was really excited when I learned about My Bag My Story. It’s shocking to see what little foster kids come into a home with — sometimes even when coming from another foster home! If you’re looking for a simple way that you can help; keep reading.
My Bag My Story is a heartfelt initiative that addresses a painful truth faced by many children in foster care. As they move from one temporary home to another, their possessions are often carried in a trash bag. Shocking, right!? So, for every bag purchased, My Bag My Story donates a high-quality, durable bag to a foster child. These bags are more than just practical; they are symbols of support and recognition, affirming the inherent value and worth of every child in the foster care system. Through this gesture, it not only provides something functional, but it also helps foster children feel seen and valued.
The Story Behind:
Cara Finger, Founder of My Bag My Story: “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 at all. 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. 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 experi- ence. Making a child feel like they are worth more than trash is so important to me.”
My Bag My Story’s support for foster youth include:
Donations: Through its donation program, every dollar donated goes towards giving a child in foster care a bag they can call their own.
Dignity Program: My Bag My Story has partnered with over 30 Tennessee-based organizations who work directly with children in the foster care system in order to get them high-quality duffel bags and backpacks.
Supporters: As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, My Bag My Story depends on the support of local and national corporations, including Dell, The Predators Foundation, St. George’s Episcopal Church and Target.
A Couple Shocking Foster Care Facts:
There are over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system right now.
Each year, around 20,000 young people age out of the foster care system at age 18 (or 21 in some states) without being reunited with their families or adopted, which can present significant challenges for their transition to independent living.
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I’m a city girl turned country by my awesome husband and we have three busy boys and two darling daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading Karen Kingsbury novels, and catching up with friends while our kiddos have play dates. I’m blessed beyond measure and can’t wait to see what God has in store.
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I was never in the position to foster care. I have had a few friends that did and they enjoyed it but hard saying goodbye when the children were eventually placed
I don’t think I could ever be a foster parent one reason is because a lot of the kids have a lot of trauma to get over. I know people that have fostered children that have been removed from their parents and they had a hard time with them.
I love products that give to charities. People who foster and wonderful folks with open hearts. I’m more like to purchase from a company that supports a charity.
I love products that give to charities. People who foster and wonderful folks with open hearts. I’m more like to purchase from a company that supports a charity.
I don’t know hardly anything about it. I’ve had fleeting thoughts about it, but never have I been in a position to actually do anything w/ those thoughts.
I think fostering and adoption are wonderful things. I was never personally involved with it while growing up bc I had good parents but when I was at the lowest point in life along time ago I had a foster family that helped me out with my kids for a few months until I got myself straightened out and we all still remain family to this day. I will be forever grateful to them .
Our book club read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain this past month. The author was in foster care from age 4 until she aged out of the California system. She wrote a memoir: Like Family: Growing Up In Other People’s Houses that many people in our book club want to read.
I have to admit that I don’t know much about the foster care system, but I do know that these kids deserve love & dignity. This is such a good organization (and the bags looks great, too!).
I was placed for adoption at one day old. I went into only one foster home before being adopted at 4 months. I don’t know much about the foster process and have sometimes thought about becoming a foster parent but I feel I’m not able to currently.
I don’t really know much about foster care. I know that too many foster parents abuse the children in their care. And I agree that we must replace the trash bags. Thanks!
Love this program! i spent about 6 months in foster care as a child (behavioral reasons) and my foster dad and sisters made such an impact on my life. I would love to foster once my kids are grown.
I’ve never considered being a foster parent. I only know about first hand accounts from a foster parent who then petitioned for adoption of the foster child and the child is now a part of their family legally. It was a long process but worth it for them.
polly
Anne Perry
Sherry
Darlene Carbajal
Barrie
Lisa Vance
brigette Oster
Stephanie Liske
william gossage
Regina
Alma Fisher
Michelle Domangue
Antoinette M
Nancy
Cynthia C
Susan Smith
Thomas Gibson
Annmarie Weeks
Cathy French
Leslie Price
Elizabeth J.
heather
TARA HAIDINGER
Natalie
Leela
beth shepherd
Ann Fantom
Peggy Sue Greco
Debbi Wellenstein
Kristie D.
Kelsey Vinson
Jennifer Tilson
Janine Hwang
Abbey Perry
Jen R
Dana
stacey
Cathy Truman
Betty Curran
I know that there is a great need for foster parents, especially for older kids. I am impressed by my bag program.