A Former Foster Youth | Athena Garcia-Gunn | TEDxMtSAC 

I was a foster kid, they never tell you what is going on. Why are you moving, why are you forced to share your trauma, why must you take pills you don’t need etc. I can hear her pain and she is so brave to share this.

This is why foster parents MUST be fearless and relentless advocates for the children in their care. They must approach every interaction with an unlimited amount of love, patience and understanding for the little souls that they are entrusted with. My prayer for all the foster parents out there : May you heal all that you touch ♥️

Athena, as a former foster youth myself I can relate to your pain. You are not alone. Fear is a liar! You are loved. You are worthy. You are NOT your past. Keep moving forward my love, We may encounter many defeats, but we must NOT be defeated.

Thank you Athena! ...for speaking for all the children.

It obviously takes a lot for you to share your story....I could feel your pain. How sad that there were no family members available to face your father and take care of you and your siblings. How sad to loose a mother!! =( So sad you been through so much. You are very brave. Take heart. I wish you and your siblings healing and happiness.

"Success is taking the hand you've been dealt and choosing to move forward anyway. It's this pursuit of happiness..." YES INDEED. Thank you

Your voice is important! Thank you for being brave to voice your story.

With your story you are opening doors to many others your courage n strength speaks for u

I appreciate your heart, your courage, your spirit and your tenacity. Keep breathing and know you are helping many by sharing your story. Never give up. Fall down seven times, get up eight. Your mother's strength is within you!

My alcoholic father died before I was 1 yr old. When I was 11 yrs old my mom died of cancer, ending a fairly care free childhood. My oldest siblings took custody but due to abuse they experienced from our father were basket cases, they coped with religious extremism. Their church friends told them to put me in an orphanage and frequently told me I was a burden. I was tortured at school and they did nothing. I attempted suicide twice before age 17. I went from a straight A student to flunking most classes. I had to finish school by correspondence course. I somehow got a 24 on my first ACT and got into college. I struggled academically, somehow limping to graduation at age 28. I have an entry level office job, but I'm thankful to not be dead, homeless, or in prison. That's where most people with my background end up.

I am so proud of you for sharing your strength with all of us.

Thank you for being vulnerable and raw real and facing your fears anxiety to share your story as you heal

What a remarkable brave and strong young woman. I wish I could give you a safe and warm hug, thank you so much for sharing your story sweetheart

That was amazing! Thanks you for sharing your story so others don’t feel so alone. Being a foster kid is such a lonely feeling and after 25 years that feeling is still haunting, and seems to be attached like shackles.

Thank you for sharing your story. Your Soul is beautiful and im so sorry you've experienced what you've experienced. You are Loved, You are Cared for and You are Heard ! God bless you

I’m so sorry you went through so much in your childhood. At least now your a very bright, intemllgent brave young women.

Athena, I see you. I feel you. You are worthy of the pursuit of happiness. 💚

Athena the apt name for you. Stay strong. Continue to be a voice for an imperfect system that at least tries to spare children of a past like you endured.

Beautiful strength. A true success.

Thank you sooo much for being brave and telling your story! We are about to be certified for foster care. I have such a heart for being a healing place for hurting children! You just helped me see it from the children’s perspective!

The system is broken . My kids are family and i hope to provide stability . ♡ what a strong young woman

Athena - Thank you for sharing this story. I know it was hard. As a foster parent, I can't thank you enough for sharing it though so I can know more about what my little guys may be feeling and that they can't (yet) communicate. You are amazing!

Thank you for sharing your story. I commit to helping youth on this path. Sending you love and light, God bless you 🖤

You are AWESOME in every way!

As a fellow foster child thank you Athena.

this made me feel rage. i am so sorry this happened to you. i hope you are doing better now.

Thank you.🙏

You are wonder woman ❤️

Its really sad to see that people knew what was going on in your life and never did anything! You are really a brave soul.

I didn't have it as bad as this young lady. But I do now have a Channel about Life skills for kids whom have aged out of fostercare.

I think Athena, like me, wants the system to change ....never ever should it have taken 15 calls to receive help ... Education is the place you would need to start...Educate foster parents/system about what kind of problematic situation they will encounter and have the weak leave before they even start the process of fostering... Foster parents then should enter programs to be educated on supporting the child properly to get the help the child needs ...and how to support in calm and soothing ways...that these are well-educated parents ....but honey, you can't blame the system ...but giving them the right direction to move towards is all we can do ...and at least that is doing something rather than nothing

God bless you and help you healing all the pain🙏

So sorry for your pain in life.

Children within the probation department , mental health needs to be separate from DCFS children!

I was in over 33 in 9 years

😭😭😭😭😭

not her describing my very existence

👏

correction: why you did not tell the authority...?