In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian and Courtney welcome Charell Starr, a former foster youth and advocate. Charell shares her personal journey through the foster care system, discussing the challenges she faced, her reunification with her mother, and her experiences in boarding school. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique circumstances of each child in foster care and the need for empathy towards families.

Charell also discusses her transition into advocacy, sparked by her desire to raise awareness about the needs of foster youth, leading to her participation in a documentary series that highlights various foster care experiences. She emphasizes the role of mentors, like CASAs, in helping youth navigate their challenges and highlights her memoir, 'Trash Bag Tales,' which details her journey and the significance of community and trust in healing from trauma.

Pickup a copy of her book "Trash Bag Tales":
https://a.co/d/0eP3OiC1

Takeaways

• Charell's journey through foster care began at a young age.
• She experienced six different homes in six years.
• Reunification with her mother was a challenging process.
• Education provided a grounding force in her life.
• Every child's experience in foster care is unique.
• Advocacy can stem from personal experiences and feelings.
• Empathy towards families is crucial in foster care.
• Documentaries can raise awareness about foster care issues.
• Charell's story is part of a larger docu-series on foster care.
• Understanding trauma is essential for supporting youth in care. No youth in foster care deserves to be in foster care.
• Stereotypes about foster youth often stem from misconceptions.
• Support from mentors can significantly impact a youth's success.
• Charell credits her success to her great grandmother and supportive teachers.
• Writing her memoir was a way to share her story and inspire others.
• Healing from trauma requires community and trust in others.
• CASAs play a crucial role in advocating for foster youth.
• Youth with CASAs are more likely to reunify with families and graduate high school.
• Everyone deserves someone who believes in them.
• Charell's story illustrates the power of empathy and understanding.