Adoption Stories

This got me thinking about a news story here in my town about a woman, a foster parent and former foster child herself, who started this amazing transitional housing program for teens leaving foster care. Basically she bought a house and rented out rooms at a super discount (almost free) to 18-year-olds who had aged out of foster care; her requirement was that they be in college at the local JC to qualify, and they could continue to live there, supported by her, as long as they stayed in school. It was a very touching story; I'll try to find the link and post it.

Wow, those are some sobering statistics. Forty percent homeless within two years? That's just so sad. And of course completely vulnerable to exploitation by what can seem to be the "kindness" of others. I will look into supporting Camellia in my area. Thanks!

I have been making it a point this year to increase my kind acts towards strangers! I have experienced first-hand how a kind act by a stranger can change the trajectory of ones mood for weeks even. A lot of my motivation has been inspired by an amazing documentary project I have had the great fortune to work on called American Bear. It simply a beautiful exploration of the kindness that strangers exhibit in this country. The couple who made the project went around the country for 60 days relying on the kindness of strangers for shelter each night and documented their experience. The insight that they shed on this underexposed subject is so powerful! Check out the website here: AmericanBearFilm.com

There is also a section on the site where you can submit your own stories:

http://americanbearfilm.com/your_voice

And you can also check out the facebook page here:

http://www.facebook.com/BearDocumentary