The rise of gun violence across America is causing shockwaves and panic throughout our communities. It seems as if every time we turn on the TV, or turn on the computer, we are seeing more and more headlines about innocent people, including children, being gunned down. These news stories can cause youth to experience sadness, anxiety, grief or depression. Some children may also fear leaving their homes, or fear going to school.
Some youth may even become triggered, especially if they’ve already experienced violence and loss in their homes. Although we cannot control what happens in the world, we do have the power to empower our youth with the skills they need to increase the odds of their safety and well-being. Here are a few ways you can help your youth stay safe.
- Have an honest talk about gun violence: For a lot of parents, having discussions about the harsh realities of the world can seem overwhelming. However, not talking about what’s going on in the world, or ignoring it, can actually do more harm than good. Gun violence isn’t going away, and youth are often one of the biggest targets perpetrators look for. Be sure to start an open dialogue about gun violence with your child. Ask them questions about how they are feeling regarding hearing about violence and how it’s affecting them. Ask them what they need to feel safe. To help your child feel safe with expressing their feelings, you may try describing a time in your life when you’ve witnessed or experienced violence, and how you handled it (if it was a positive approach).
- Educate Your Youth: Talk to youth about some warning signs to look out for, which can include someone expressing rage in an unhealthy manner, talking about hurting others or getting revenge. Encourage teens to stay away from crime-ridden areas, and to come home at a reasonable hour. Encourage youth to always be aware of their surroundings and pay attention to and report anything that looks suspicious.
- Develop a plan of action that include all probable scenarios that could happen, such as a shooting at a school, a park, a mall, etc. Go over the most important actions youth can take to protect themselves. Have them look for places they can go that might be safe if violence strikes. Have them think about the exit points in public places.
- Consider Active Shooter Classes: See if your community offers classes to help youth learn the skills they need to keep themselves safe around an active shooter.
- Some perpetrators target victims who seem naïve or timid. So have your child practice good body language, and to maintain good eye contact. Encourage them to speak clearly, and with authority, especially in public settings. Taking self-defense classes may help some youth gain more confidence and help them feel more secure in public.
- If gun violence is affecting your child’s mental health, and they’ve experienced past trauma, consider signing them up to see a therapist who specializes in trauma. Some youth need to speak with a trusted professional who can help them learn specific coping skills that will help them feel more secure, and to also heal from their past childhood wounds.
Eve Powers, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Eve has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Eve obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Eve’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Eve continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
If we ever needed to come together as a community, now is the time. The Coronavirus crisis has caused widespread disturbances in our everyday lives; and that’s especially true for foster parents. Schools are closed, jobs are at stake or have been eliminated, and life as we once know it, is now very unpredictable.
Now, more than ever, people in our community, especially foster youth, are finding themselves without the necessary items they need. Here are some powerful tips on how you can help foster youth during a crisis.
1. Take Immediate Action: Make an online donation to your local foster care agency. Local youth who are in foster care are struggling right now, due to not having enough essential supplies, such as toilet paper and masks to keep them safe. The Children’s Foundation of America, a partner of Trinity Youth Services, is currently accepting donations to help provide essential resources to local foster youth. Visit www.childrensfoundationofamerica.org/donate to support.
2. Promote Your Local Foster Care Agency on Social Media: While it’s true that the Coronavirus has shut down our communities, some agencies are choosing to host virtual foster parent orientations to provide needed information while keeping everyone safe. Check with your local agency to see how you can help support them. Also consider posting inspiring quotes about helping children, or sharing a video of what you’re doing to make a difference in your community. Doing these things on a regular basis will motivate others to take action.
3. Consider Your Options: If you want to make positive impact in a child’s life, but aren’t necessarily ready to foster/adopt, consider signing up to become a respite parent, which provides certified foster parents time away when needed. You can sign up online to get the process started here.
To learn more, please call 888-346-9645 and check back for more helpful tips on how you can support your community!
Eve Powers, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Eve has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Eve obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Eve’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Eve continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
Building strong, happy and successful communities is what Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis does best. Each year, she takes an active role in supporting her community for the holidays through “Operation Gobble Gobble,” a program that helps families in need throughout Los Angeles County. “Thanksgiving cannot be complete without us giving back to our communities. Whether it is through a basket full of food, a turkey, or a home-cooked meal, everyone should be able to enjoy this holiday season with their friends and loved ones.
Operation Gobble Gobble is a true testament to the collaboration and partnership we have in the County. Thank you to Trinity Youth Services for being a great Operation Gobble Gobble partner, but also for all the work they do to support foster youth throughout the year,” said Supervisor Solis.
In its fifth year, the popular program is providing turkeys, monetary donations and other resources to local community agencies. Trinity Youth Services, a nationally accredited Foster Care and Adoptions Agency in Los Angeles County, was chosen to receive 12 turkeys and accompanying side dishes for their foster families to enjoy this holiday season. Family mealtime is very therapeutic for children, especially for foster youth.
According to a recent study, when children eat meals with a family, it provides them with a sense of security and a feeling of belonging. Trinity Youth Services would like to thank Supervisor Hilda Solis for making the holidays special for our amazing families, and for helping them stay connected to the children who are dear to their hearts.
To find out more about Trinity Youth Services or to begin your journey to becoming a foster or adoptive parent, click here.
Florence Edwards, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Florence has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Florence obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Florence’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Florence continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
Do you love being a foster parent, and want to add another member to your family? Opening your home to a teenager could be a great choice! There are many benefits to raising a teen. Contrary to popular belief, teens want a loving family, stability and guidance just like any child would. Trauma-affected teens have an even stronger desire to have a connection to a parental figure.
Did you know that teens who do not have a caring adult in their lives often suffer from suicide ideation, depression, and lack a positive self-identity? According to a recent study, teens without positive role models often find it difficult to find employment and suffer from a variety of mental health challenges.
If you have the heart to change a young person’s life, here are some reasons to consider fostering a teen:
- Teens Are More Independent: Unlike raising infants or small children, teenagers can dress themselves, catch the bus to school on their own, wash their own clothes and help with chores around the house.
- Teens Can Teach You New Things: Teenagers often know the latest tech gadgets, hairstyles and fashions. Since they attend school, they can teach you about the things they’ve learned and give you a fresh perspective on a variety of topics.
- Raising Teens Can Be Fun! Teens can be great company when they get to know you and feel safe. When they feel like they are a part of a family, and are loved unconditionally, they will often participate in family game night, attend events with you and even plan family outings.
- Create Lasting Bonds: As teens transition to adulthood, many stay in touch with their foster parents, and even visit them. You can create a unique bond with them that lasts a lifetime. Since they are closer to adulthood than smaller children, they can put your teachings and the skills you taught them directly into practice. You may see the impact you’ve made on their lives and the share in their successes.
- You Can Make a Difference by Sharing Your Life Experiences: Teens can create an emotional bond with people they feel understand them. When you discuss some of your life experiences, especially those that they can relate to, they can learn from some of your past actions and make wiser choices. Sharing some of your story can truly help them.
- You Can Help a Teen Build A Strong Foundation: You can help a teen transition into a successful adult by teaching them life skills, helping them with their college endeavors, and giving them advice about relationships, friendships and employment. Your influence in a teen’s life can help them realize their full potential and create a new, successful life.
If you are considering fostering a teen in need of unconditional love and support, contact Trinity Youth Services at 888.346.9645 for more information.
Florence Edwards, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Florence has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Florence obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Florence’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Florence continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
Twenty-three foster youth from Trinity Youth Services attended the 27th Annual Success Is Our Future Scholarship and Awards Ceremony on May 30, 2019, at the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The annual event sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Probation recognizes foster youth who have overcome the challenges in their lives and are graduating from high school. The special guest was actress Tiffany Haddish, who encouraged the youth to continue to pursue their dreams as she too is a former foster youth. Ms. Haddish gave each attendee a $100 gift card and a suitcase/duffle bag packed with items for their personal use.
The event was attended by fourteen youth from Trinity El Monte, six from Trinity Apple Valley and three from Trinity Yucaipa. The event recognizes and honors the achievement of youth in a variety of categories, including academics, sports, literature, the arts and overall improvement in conduct and behavior. The theme for the evening was Success is Epic and featured the awarding of six scholarships for academic achievements, first, second and third place awards for art, a dance ensemble and spoken word performances. The entertainment was provided by magician, Joel Ward.
The foster youth were inspired and moved by the story of Tiffany Haddish. One young man said that listening to her story made him feel good that someone that was once in the system went on to be successful. He also said that he liked the fact that the Success Is Our Future recognized youth such as him and that they awarded scholarships to youth that wanted to attend college. Another young man felt connected with Ms. Haddish because she was a former foster youth and was motivated by her speech.
A recent Trinity graduate who is now attending college, said he enjoyed the event because “There was always something exciting happening. I liked the magician, the different types of traditional dances, the poems, and the paintings. The guest speakers talked about us becoming successful, what’s the right plan for us, and not giving up. The speakers included former foster youth who already graduated college. They told us about the different obstacles they went through and how they overcame them. They encouraged us to pursue our dreams and not give up, which was really inspirational.” Regarding his plans for the future, he said, “My goal is to focus on business management. I’m a people person and would like to become a CEO one day.”
Special thanks go out to Jaime Acosta, Assistant Director of Trinity Yucaipa, for his dedicated participation on the Success Is Our Future Planning Committee for the last several years. It was a well-organized and much-appreciated event that acknowledged youth who have overcome a multitude of obstacles to achieve their high school diploma.
John Neiuber, Chief Executive Officer
John leads an agency that serves over 500 children and families daily through residential therapeutic services, mental health programs, foster care agency and adoption services. He received his master’s degrees from California State University, San Bernardino. He is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and received the Army Commendation Medal. John has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and district office administrator in the public schools, and a management and leadership consultant to public agencies and private industry. He was the CEO of Advanced Education Services and became the chief operating officer of Trinity Youth Services in 2002 and CEO in 2005.
Recently two Trinity Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTP), Trinity Apple Valley and Trinity El Monte, collaborated to help find a young man a permanent home. Justin (named changed for confidentiality reasons) successfully completed his program at Apple Valley and his transition plan called for him to reconnect with family.
Due to family circumstances, he was unable to go home with his mother, so finding another family member was essential for this young man to gain permanency. According to Justin, the judge in his case did not want him to give up hope for connecting with family and Justin was tasked to identify other family members. With the help of Trinity Apple Valley, they started the process using common sense searches to look for additional family options, adoptions, and explore individuals that may fall under the non-related family member category.
Because Justin was from Los Angeles and the program wanted to connect him with a family member, he was transferred from Trinity’s Apple Valley program to the one in El Monte in September 2018. The Apple Valley program worked closely with El Monte to ensure the handoff was effective and that there was no lapse in the continuum of services provided to Justin, so the transition was successful. The treatment team at El Monte continued the work of Apple Valley by providing a multitude of mental health services, supportive services, promoting a sense of value and accountability, reinforcing positive behavior and transferring to a new high school, with the goal of reunification and permanency ultimately in mind.
The treatment teams at Apple Valley and El Monte programs engaged Justin by exploring all options for pathways to permanency. Justin identified his grandfather as an option, who was subsequently approved as a viable home. The programs collaborated with the Los Angeles County Probation Department to obtain approval for family therapy sessions and Child and Family Team (CFT) Meeting’s, first at Apple Valley and then at El Monte, via telephone with the grandfather because he lives in another state.
Justin accomplished several things while at Trinity El Monte including actively participating in mental health treatment, individual and family therapy, therapeutic behavior programs, substance abuse groups and independent living skills groups, among others and he was able to graduate high school. Most notable was the reunification with his grandfather who committed to providing a stable, permanent home for Justin post-graduation. Justin expressed his elation for the move and excitement about his life after Trinity El Monte. Justin is looking forward to attending college.
This journey to permanency is significant as it exemplified the successful collaboration between the Trinity STRTPs and the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The challenge was not only ensuring services were provided but finding a permanent home which was always the main goal from the first Children and Family Team Meeting. Justin is thankful to Trinity Apple Valley and El Monte for their assistance in his journey. Special thanks go to the Children’s Foundation of America for purchasing the plane ticket for Justin to fly “home” to be with his grandfather.
John Neiuber, Chief Executive Officer
John leads an agency that serves over 500 children and families daily through residential therapeutic services, mental health programs, foster care agency and adoption services. He received his master’s degrees from California State University, San Bernardino. He is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and received the Army Commendation Medal. John has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and district office administrator in the public schools, and a management and leadership consultant to public agencies and private industry. He was the CEO of Advanced Education Services and became the chief operating officer of Trinity Youth Services in 2002 and CEO in 2005.
Photo by Glamour
Keke Palmer is a world-renowned actress, singer, rapper, songwriter and philanthropist who has been mesmerizing audiences since making her acting debut in the 2004 film Barbershop 2: Back in Business. An in-demand legendary superstar, Keke Palmer is the youngest actress and the first African-American to portray Cinderella on Broadway. Her credits include Akeelah and the Bee, Madea’s Family Reunion, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Joyful Noise, Shrink, The Longshots, Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP, and Lifetime’s TLC biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. Keke has also starred in Scream Queens, Hustlers, and many others. She is also the host of Queenpins, a new series by Facebook Watch and Glamour.
Among her many accomplishments, Keke is also the author of I Don’t Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice, an inspirational guide that encourages millennials to change their mindset and live with more freedom, confidence, and love as they navigate the rough terrain of the 21st century.
A passionate advocate for at-risk youth, Keke gives back to her community by representing nonprofits such as Saving Our Daughters, an anti-bullying and girl-empowerment organization. Her Saving Our Cinderellas Program is a facet of Saving Our Daughters, which is geared towards using music, theatre, film and television to help build self-esteem in girls.
Keke recently recorded a special message for Trinity Youth Service’s foster youth for the Celebrity Love Project, in which she states, “Do not let the pain from your past stop you from achieving the things you want in the future,” and other motivational words of wisdom. View the video below to hear Keke’s entire inspirational message.
For more information about Keke Palmer, visit www.kekepalmer.com, or visit twitter.com/kekepalmer or instagram.com/Keke.
Jillian “JJ” Simmons, a fifteen-year veteran radio host from Cincinnati, Ohio, is more than just another voice to fill the airwaves. As an on-air talent, she has captivated listeners from major cities from across the country, including her hometown Cincinnati (WIZF-FM), Dayton (WROU-FM), New York City (WBLS-FM, where she worked alongside “The Queen of All Media,” Wendy Williams), Indianapolis (WHHH-FM), and Houston (KBXX-FM). Over the years, JJ on the Mic has interviewed many of the rich, famous and influential, including former President Barak Obama, and she has contributed her voice of experience to the ongoing dialogue on the impact of hip hop on the American social and political landscape.
Having lost two uncles to AIDS, JJ is also a champion of AIDS education and awareness. In response to her loss, she founded the J Darcey AIDS Foundation. As part of her awareness initiative, she also founded Red Tree Tees, an apparel company which uses hip hop infused tees as a tool of activism to emphasize the importance of getting tested.
In addition to being a positive influence on people she meets through her work, JJ is a proud mother. She uses her passion for the” mommy experience” to advocate for higher quality prenatal care in underprivileged communities. Although she has always had an innate desire to empower others, raising a daughter has deepened her desire to foster change in the lives of women, and inspired her to create the I’m Me Foundation. In keeping with her mission to create opportunities for positive social interactions and character-building experiences, the I’m Me Foundation provides tools to improve the esteem and self-worth of girls and young women.
JJ has chronicled her own personal experiences from a past abusive relationship and the journey to healing in her book, “Without Bruises,” designed to give guidance to others who find themselves in harmful situations. Her “Without Bruises: Help, Hope and Heal Series” is a collection of focus groups in collaboration with Therapist and Life Coach, Wendi Johnson-Turner, taking place in Houston. She invites the public to share their stories, champion one another and get healthy tools for healing.
JJ is currently excited to be part of Trinity Youth Services’ Celebrity Love Project and share some words of encouragement for girls in foster care. In her inspiring video message, JJ says, “Whatever you are going through, whatever you have been through, does not define who you are. You are not your circumstances.” She goes on to say, “You are qualified and worthy of greatness. You are greatness.” View the full video for more inspiring words from JJ Simmons.
Summer can be an exciting time for kids, but if you’re like most parents, you worry about how you’re going to keep your child active and happy. There are many free or low-cost activities you can do with your kids that are fun and educational. Here are some great activities you can do with your child that will also help you save money.
1. Visit Another Country Without Leaving Home
Use Wikipedia to teach your children about the cultures of other countries and try adopting some of their customs or meals for one day. Here are some additional tips you may find helpful.
2. Visit Your Local Public Library
Libraries in your area may offer summer reading programs for kids. Click this link to learn additional information for San Bernardino County. Click here for LA County, and click here to find out more information for Riverside County.
3. Create a Reading Challenge
Did you know that kids lose approximately two months of reading skills during the summer? To keep your child’s reading skills sharp, encourage your children to read by creating a summer reading list of books of their choice, then create a reward system when they read a certain number of books. You can also check out Scholastic’s website. They have free reading challenges where kids can win virtual prizes. Click this link for further information.
4. Attend Free Workshops
Some stores in your area may offer free classes and workshops for kids. Home Depot may have free workshops for kids. Click this link for more information.
5. Visit a Local Museum
Some museums may offer free tickets for kids. Chino Youth Museum is an interactive, hands-on museum. Admission is free on the first Friday of every month. Click this link for more information.
6. Give Back to Your Community
One way to help increase your child’s confidence, social skills and compassion for others is by showing them the importance of giving back. There are many volunteer opportunities in the Inland Empire where kids and teens can donate their time to help the less fortunate. ieVolunteer is a program of Inland Empire United Way. Click here to discover more information on how your child can be involved.
To find out more exciting summer tips that will create more fun for the entire family, be sure to read next month’s newsletter!
Florence Edwards, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Florence has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Florence obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Florence’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Florence continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
Laura Abujudeh-Kassem
“You never know what you’ll be good at until you try,” is Laura Abujudeh-Kassem’s motto. It’s one she lives by as a passionate Intake and Foster Care Office Director for Trinity Youth Services. Laura’s personal and professional mission is helping youth find safe, supportive families who can nurture their growth and help them thrive.
Teen moms, medically-fragile babies, and children with special needs can be more difficult to place due to the negative stereotypes that persist about their perceived challenges. To increase the interest in these special populations, Laura goes the extra mile to help ease the fears of foster parents by educating them about the needs of the youth, acknowledging the youth’s strengths, and helping the parent adopt a positive outlook on fostering. Providing honest dialogue about expectations as well as discussing the type of assistance they will receive has proved to be beneficial.
“I encourage foster parents to take older youth because it’s our biggest need. I ask them to be willing to accept calls for children of all ages,” Laura said. Laura’s ultimate goal is making them feel confident enough to take in youth who are seemingly high-risk. She lets them know that they are never alone and always have access to resources, guidance and support.
“I want foster parents to think, ‘If I give a child my all, and have the support of the agency, I think I can do it,'” Laura said. Encouraging a foster parent to extend their comfort zone isn’t always easy, but Laura is determined and never gives up if she believes a foster parent and child are a good fit.
“A parent said she didn’t want to work with teens. She had already raised her daughter and only wanted to foster babies. I received a call one day about a college-bound teen mom who had an infant son, and the county needed a home for them. I thought, ‘I’ll call this mom. I felt like she could work with her.’
“When I called, I said, ‘I have your baby that you’ve been waiting for, but he has a teen mom with him.’ The foster parent said, ‘No, I can’t do that.’ I said, ‘I will tell you about her. She’s a college-bound, responsible teen mom. She just needs your guidance the same way you’ve raised your daughter to be successful. Help her transition in her life. I believe you can do this.’ I empowered her. She told me she’d give it a try.”
After opening-up her heart and her home to the teen mom, something amazing took place. According to Laura, “The foster parent had a positive experience and was able to help her transition to college and helped her get an apartment. Then, she became our ‘Foster Mom for Teens’ in San Diego County. She talked to potential families about her fostering experience. She was able to succeed due to the support and encouragement she received from our staff. She also made a point to reach out to us when she needed resources or support.”
Going above and beyond to help youth in crisis, as well as helping foster parents succeed, is what makes people like Laura and the Trinity Youth Services staff stand out above the rest.
“I believe in our families,” Laura said. “We help guide them and let them know that they are part of a team. They can always reach out to us for support.”
Laura Abujudeh-Kassem is the Trinity Youth Services foster care director in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. If you are in the area and are interested in becoming a resource parent under her supportive team, contact her office at 888.346.9645.
Florence Edwards, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Florence has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Florence obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Florence’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Florence continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California. Email: fedwards@trinityys.org | Phone: 888.346-9645
