I Survived Foster Care 

If you have a foster child, please treat them well. Treat them like you would treat your child. Give them all the love that they deserve.

*Like he did, you can overcome!*

You are one amazing person! I hope that your life will bring you nothing but joy, happiness, prosperity, and love.

YES!! My foster daughter is now a med student, and almost finished!!!!

You are awesome !!!

Outta 6 homes me and my brother was in one of ‘em wanted to separate us idk my lil brother the only one I have it was me and him against the world

Every single word that he said it happened to me

I can really relate to this story...I entered foster care when I was 7 following severe abuse and neglect, and aged out at 18...now I'm 26 and about to start my third year in law school...thank you for sharing your story 💜💜💜

Stories like this reassure my goal to become a foster parent in the future.

WHY do they put kids in detention centers (jail) for doing nothing wrong?? The system is so screwed up & it hasn't gotten better through the years either.I can't imagine being torn out of a family home & thrown in with strangers, these poor kids.

Kids should NEVER need to be so tough... Such a remarkable young man!

Me and my partner want to be foster parents in the future, but our families and friends all try to discourage us. They tell us that it's a lot of trouble and that the children are often difficult. I just want to open my house and my heart to someone in need, and I believe in equal chances for all kids, no matter the background. Does anyone have any advice?

When I was 9 I was in foster care after my baby sister died. They convinced an aunt that I barely knew of to take me in just a few days later. I came back home just a few months later and I still hold anger towards my mother for not visiting as much as she could. For staying away when I was unfamiliar with my surroundings and felt unwelcome in an unfamiliar home. After I came home off the school bus to police and investigators with cameras and clipboards roaming my house. After my baby sister, the light of my world, died and I didn't know how or why. When I was taken away by a stranger in a van to a foster home without any knowledge of where my mother was or what was going on. When counselors that told me I could trust them lied and twisted my words to tell a different story to the news. To the courts. When I lost my child hood. She stayed away by choice. I lost so much of myself and I've had emotional issues ever since. I forgive her a litte more every day because I may have lost a sister, but she lost a daughter. I try to understand but those trust issues that implanted themselves in me and the anxiety and depression that followed makes the grudge hard to dislodge. Now I want to be a foster parent to give kids who had it way worse than me a place they can feel safe until everything works out. I don't want any more kids to have to jump from house to house. It isn't fair to them. The system isn't right. I got it easier than a lot of kids who enter the system so I know that I can't complain myself but I can sure complain for all the kids that are still there and not being treated fairly. This man's story is amazing and I'm glad life worked out for him. It isn't easy not to give up. That's strength ✊🏽❤

Wow, what a comeback!

OMG I cried from watching this. Stay Strong brother!

Your strength is an inspiration. Nothing but love and respect to you, a bright future is ahead, I know it.

I'm in the process of adopting 3 siblings from foster care. Hoping to bring them home before Christmas. A lot of people I knew grew up in the system it's very disheartening. You're an amazing person though, thank you for sharing.

I aged out of the system in 2012 and had a hard time in there. A month ago I graduated and got certified for one of the highest paying trades in the US. Its hard but possible.

Beautiful. I am proud of this young man.

I've been in care since the age of 3 (I'm just about to turn 18) and its not as bad as its depicted. I've had my fair share of shitty carers but I'm with brilliant ones at the moment. It depends on the family you get sent to

This really inspired me. I survived 20 foster homes, group homes and shelters. Your residence and strength changes the world everyday. This video broke me down and reminded me how precious it is to live fully.. Thank you for sharing!!!!!

Proud man! That you can talk about this like that! Respect✌✌

This is literally how being in homes like that feels: Your taken away from your family No friends Trust no body Moving 24/7 Depressed But you can do it. God made you for a reason, so live for it

Former foster kid here, I'm proud of you! We are survivors and our past does not have to hold us down unless we let it dominate us! I hope you find happiness and peace

I feel this 100%. I was a foster child and everything he has to day is valid. I know from experience what's it's like to feel like you don't have purpose or meaning in this world when a family doesn't want you, and realizing that that's not the case is so important. Make something of yourself. Make the tough times and life experiences worth something, and channel into your passions for life. We made it, and that an accomplishment on its own.

This kid is a miracle! Kids in foster care face horrible odds. I’ve been researching for class and they fare poor across many domains. I was in the system too. This young man is resilient indeed.

My family fostered lots of kids and it can be so hard from the other end, only having kids for a little bit and not seeing them again. This is so inspiring and makes me want to foster even more!

yooooo i went to school with him and his brother deshawn man life was wild. i wondered what happened to him WOW

Is there any books or videos on how to help an adult survivor of foster care. I have a friend who is 25 now. He’s doing fine as far as money and work but he pushes people away and lies in unnecessary situations. I feel like this is going to lead him to very hard and lonely life. Right now he’s fine but life changes as you reach late 20s and most people aren’t going to put up with these traits or take the time to understand him. I can see he’s still hurt but don’t know how to help. My patience with him is tested every time we interact.

Oh wow I’ve seen this guy freestyle on ADD’s channel. Glad to see he made it despite all the struggle

He is incredibly attractive. His soul is so pure. I’m so thankful for his vulnerability and transparency in this video. May God continue to bless Brandon and his family abundantly.

This is Ruben,🙏👍👍✌️✌️✝️🛐🙏❤️🌍🌎AMEN!!! WOW, I Am Proud of you!!! You did not let your circumstances change you in A negative way!!! 🙏😇🙏🙌🤗💯🥳🎉 Son I love you!!! 🧸❤️

I am also a fostered child. I'm building a website and social network for us. I'll let you know the URL when I purchase it. I'll have it soon. I'm still working through some details. I am proud of you for what you've done and how you have succeeded. Good Man.

He's so handsome ❤️

1:05 This is so true. I developed a siorder called Reactive Attachment Disorder due to this. I was in 18 homes in 8 years.

I was in foster care for 10 years... Really messed me up but I am going to be attending my second program in college and I hope to be a social worker!

I was put into a high security group home just because they didn't have any foster homes for me. First night my roommate got his head split open by another kid. Blood squirting everywhere. He's not kidding when he says you have to become a man overnight.

What a great story. Thanks for sharing. Very inspirational.

I would love to foster children and give them a safe place i want to make a difference. But this is a lot to take in i know many kids go through trauma and pain.

I hope Buffalo State sees this and asks you to be a speaker at their commencement. I graduated from there as well, and I would have rather heard your story rather then a senator’s. You’re amazing.

That's an awesome testimony! God bless you!

giving voices to these people and kids is so good

My mom and dad are foster parents, and I'm a fosterbrother. We treat all the kids with patience and we have very fun with them.

This is such good news!! Thank you for sharing your story So proud of you😊

Such an inspiration youngman. Be blessed!!!

The ill treatment of children in foster care system is inhuman and unjust and putting them in detention centers when they are already so vulnerable opens them up so many things

Brandon, you are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story. 🙏

From someone raised in fostercare here is my story well some of it As someone raised in the foster car system for 8 years after my mom's passing at 10 let me tell you I have PTSD from it and still wake up with nightmares thinking I'm back in those times I was more abused by foster parents who just wanted the check i was in 25 homes in 8 years and only 1 family was good too me they would put me in group homes when there wasn't enough beds and sometimes juvenile detention halls if they needed a rest pit home they separated my sister and I and rarely let's us see each other and this wasn't my workers fault it's the corrupt system too the point my worker was gonna take me in as a foster kid when she's never done that before but she was denied man I could go on and go kinda hard too speak about 8 terrible years in a few minutes but what that being said I got a job at my own car and license and ran away I turned my self in at 18 and they released me I felt like I was freshly realised from prison half the DCF workers don't give a damn and same goes for the foster parents I had some where we where locked up in our rooms and fed moldy old food while they at McDonald's as a family in the dining room I've had my stuff stolen such as clothes etc. They refused too bring me too my mother's grave etc.. still effecting me in my mid 20s I've had my own places for years now but for some reason they never feel like home I don't bother decorating or anything because it seems temporary my heart goes out too all you guys in the system I'm not attempting too save up enough money too buy my first home where I can officially call it MY HOME considering I always jump from apartment too apartment landlords love me and I have great references but for some reason I always moved I haven't lived in a house for more than my yearly lease for some reason when I was raised in foster care longest i lived in a home was 6 months then i would be bounced around last time I felt like at home and reside at a residence for than a year was back in 06 when my mom was alive 14 years I've been bouncing around I enlisted in the army as 31 bravo and 2 weeks before my ship date I was hit by a drunk driver and it ruined my military career life hasn't been easy but I'm not giving up yet! Gonna keep pushing till I can save up enough too buy my first HOME kinda hard though due too covid and loosing my job but I have 25k so far and I'm gonna keep trying!!

I was in FC as well. So much love being sent your way brother. I'm proud of you. #FOSTERSQUAD #GANGGANG 🙌

Adopt waiting children!

I SURVIVED THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM!!!

Soul Pancake really lives up to its name, I just love the 'I survived' series

Good luck Brandon and good for you :)

I would love to do foster care some kiddos

God does indeed create miracles.

I love your videos. 😍 😍 😍

You are an incredibly strong and inspirational. I just finished my foster parent training. Thank you for sharing your story.

Beautiful soul. Handsome young man. Amazing work. Just wow.

You are a hero for all you went through and I am so proud of you through the screen. You are the hero of your own story.

He is so well mannered and well spoken. He will do great things in his life! May Jesus bless him

You have to have lived it to feel what this man is saying not to many young men go through the system and come out the other side has put together is this young man much respect

Ok as a foster kid now seeing all these nice comments are actually making me emotional

I'm sorry Brandon. 😭 Praying for you. 🙏🙏🙏

WTF bro??? So they just be like "uhhhhh you too old for foster care" and threw them into prison? Hellllllllll nah

🙌🏾🙌🏾

Amazing testimony! God bless him and his family! 💕💕💕

This young man's story happened to my 5&6 year old son's over a span of almost FIVE YEARS before I finally got them back!

They put that boy in a detention center just because they didn't have another place for him? That's so cruel, I can't even wrap my head around it. How did all those foster homes manage to fail him? There's so much about this story that breaks my heart.

You are strong young man with a good head on your shoulders making good choices and just in case somebody didn't tell you today that they're proud of you, I am.

God Bless you! So proud of you

Damn this hit home. I was in the system for 8 years.

this story touched my soul. so happy for you. continued success and blessings to you young man.

1:27 A Foster child that I was an advocate for, went to her 1st foster family after being in several group homes. One day she skipped half a day of school, and did some other things (I don't want to give to much detail.) Everyone was upset with her and couldn't believe she would do such things. Even the foster kid fest that she knew that she messed up. But when I thought about it, she was actually improving greatly. Her mom and step dad had her skip about 80% of school days, and doing illegal activities with her. She had just came out of rehab facilities where she was surrounded by people who did a lot worse. The day she skipped only a half day of school was an improvement to what was normal to her.

So Emotional 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😓😓😓😥😥😥😥😥😥😓😓😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😭😭😭😢😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😢😢😢😢🙁🙁🙁☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️it is not fair

Blessing be upon you young man God bless you you have a living testimony praise God🙏

My heart breaks for these kids in foster care. My husband and I have just decided to adopt from foster care. When I asked the person doing the home study why do people only want to foster? If someone is going to have a child in their home and build a bond why not keep the same child instead of having your house be a revolving door? I don't understand. She looked at me as if she was insulted and offended and said some people just want to foster. I know the purpose is reunification with the parents but it seems that that is not happening as much as people would like it to. I kinda feel like the question should be asked, if this child can not be reunited with their parents would you be willing to adopt them? If the answer is no they should be placed with someone who will so the child doesn't have to keep being bounced around. I just had a really underhanded, unprofessional and manipulated first experience with a traditional foster mom and a dcfs caseworker that has shaded my whole view of this system. This was just me and my husband's first situation with what was supposed to be an adoption of twin 10 year old girls. I can't imagine what kids go through. After this one experience I truly feel like the majority of this system is corrupt! It seems like there is on one to hold dcfs/cps accountable. I don't know what to do so me and husband got a lawyer. I feel a burning in my spirit to be an advocate for foster children. We TRULY want to see things done in the best interest of the children.

I was raised in the system. Unfortunately when I was adopted my adoptive parent turned out to be emotionally and mentally abusive..

Keep at it man, you're story is inspirational. Buffalo Pride...

Why was he bounced around so much. That's the problem. One place one home and allow him to be adopted out. Uugghh the systems failing our babies.

Let me guess you were bounced around cause they didn’t want to adopt you or used you to get a monthly check? I would hope your foster family would consider adoption.

@I am sorry I cant think of a cool username it kind of worries me when you say "treat them like you would your own kid". Why? Because so many parents don't even treat their own kids right.

Nobody is forced to become a parent, especially not 8(!!!) times. Come on... Use some brain and protection!

I am fed up living with the system and if one home can’t deal with you anymore they give a 30 day notice to the agency and then you transition to another home. I’m like do they realize how hard it is for a child or teen to get taken away from their damn parents who couldn’t be able to take care of them. I’m ready to move out! Anyways thanks for sharing your story! Glad you proved them all wrong that you don’t need any of them to care for you. Your intelligent and you got this!

I am so sorry that happened to you. You shouldn’t had to go through that. I believe we can make a difference and help other kids in the system and let our politicians know so we can change the system so other kids don’t have to go through that

about to go in the foster care system i think. i grew up without a dad aswell in all sorts of slums in houston texas. my mom is about to threaten to put me in the system and im gonna be forced to have to stand up for myself and be the man of the house again since she cant get a job. im 14 right now

Oh no! If I foster I am going to foster to adopt. Sadly, too many people become foster parents for the wrong reason (money). I want to be able to raise my foster kid.

Heart breaking this world. But some lights stay bright

The least to say about him is that he’s an amazing human being ❤️

Love u soul pancake plz say something back

I understand that this wasn’t intentional but the title I find quite offensive because with my mum being a foster career it leads people to believe that all foster care is bad when it is not

🌍 I Was In Foster Care Mario India Ciera Ryain

Praise the Lord may God continue to lead you and guide you in spirit and in truth

Last day of school

Xoxoxo strong man here!!!!!!

My uncle made me watch this

You are amazing!!!

You are an amazing young man blessings to you King

Wow great story he overcame

What a story

Amen Brandon! Praise God! ❤