Power of Story

10/30/2024

As we approach the third anniversary of Power of Story in November, I’ve been reflecting on our journey. I’m proud of the stories we’ve shared with young people and the progress we’ve made in understanding the barriers to accessing life history in MN and beyond.

But, we need focus to our work. If you are, or know of, a current or former foster youth in MN, please help us prioritize these barriers by sharing what has had the greatest impact on accessing information in this paid survey oppruitunity.

https://powerofstory.us/get-involved/

05/25/2023

Daughter of an adoptee, and long time foster sibling, Caroline Goldenstein will be joining Power of Story as a summer intern!

Caroline is a student at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul studying nonprofit leadership. She is an enthusiastic learner and writer with eight years of foster care experience alongside her family and a
passion for cultivating wholeness and belonging.

Welcome Caroline!

04/27/2023

Wildly excited to welcome to our newest board member!

Jamie Kherbaoui (she/her) is an adoptee, community engagement practitioner and interdisciplinary scholar. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Drake University and an M.Ed. in Community Engagement from Merrimack College. As a bridge builder, facilitator, and educator, she has spent the last 8 years developing and implementing community engaged programs and projects while leading teams in the nonprofit and higher education sectors.

https://powerofstory.us/about/

04/26/2023

⚠ Only 13% ⚠ of adopted people surveyed felt they had been given enough information about their past to have their own identity.

While not surprising, this should move us.

Adoption Support Agency, Family Action PAC-UK, reveals the findings of The Big Consult, the largest piece of research into birth parents and adopted people’s experiences and feelings around the adoption process, in over 20 years.

📣 83% of respondents felt they have not been given enough information about their birth family

🙄 77% felt they had not been told enough about why they were adopted

🚷 87% felt they had not been given enough information to have their own identity.

PAC-UK ‘Big Consult’ findings reveal new insights into adoption experiences By Leon Elias On April 20, 2023 · Add Comment Family Action’s PAC-UK reveals new insights and experiences of adoptees and birth parents with the launch of The Big Consult. Adoption Support Agency, Family Action PAC-UK...

04/12/2023

Check out this powerful podcast from Unbelievably Resilient about the difficulties with obtaining your case files as former foster youth.

The hang ups, managing your own expectations, and rewriting the stories you read about your past. If you find yourself wanting to obtain your records or even you are just beginning to consider making the request…we are right there with you. Privacy and protection standards vary across the country and as you will hear, it’s not always a straight forward process; and sometimes it leads to disappointment. How do we keep building our story if there are many gaps in the history? Tune in to find out."

Unbelievably Resilient · Episode

03/15/2023

"It’s so important for kids to feel like they fit in, whether that’s at home, at school, or in their communities. Ideally, they’d feel like they belong in all these spaces, but that can be tough if you don’t fully understand yourself or your family history."

Check out this powerful interview with Thuba Nguyễn and Anthony Walsh, two Minnesota children's book authors on getting and giving a sense of belonging.

Purchase their books:
*My Daddy Tells Me… - https://lnkd.in/gYwQZuXu
*Hockey Is for Everybody: Anthony's Goal - https://lnkd.in/gbGAp-uZ

Also, Power of Story: Youth-Led Life Histories' board member Abby Fenton makes an appearance at 26:50.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-minnesota-childrens-book-authors-on-getting-and/id1445601454?i=1000604362257

‎Show MPR News with Angela Davis, Ep Two Minnesota children's book authors on getting and giving a sense of belonging - Mar 15, 2023

03/14/2023

It is HARD to find a book about adoption for children, that doesn't speak solely about the joys of adoption, and gives ownership of the child's story, to the child themselves.

Written and illustrated by reunited birth siblings, separated by adoption, this book focuses on the child's ownership and understanding of his or her own story, whether it's one of adoption, or kinship care.

In this book, a butterfly egg is used as an example to illustrate conception, placement options, reasons for placement, and lessons taught by birth and adoptive/foster families.

In chapters 5 and 6, children's questions and empowerment are emphasized. This book is for families raising children through adoption, so that the topic of conception, placement, and adoption can be discussed with nuance, and the child's own story can shine through.

https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Story-adoption-kinship/dp/1039117783

03/12/2023

Show your support for foster youth access! It’s time to ensure equitable opportunities for all young people.

https:/https:/ /powerofstory.us/

03/09/2023

We must recognize the strength of foster youth and how often it has shaped the course of history.

https://powerofstory.us/

03/05/2023

Don't let the complexity of the past hold you back, instead allow it to be the bridge to the future you desire.

https://powerofstory.us/

03/04/2023

To work with us for FREE, fill out this application if you're a foster or adoptee between the ages of 18 and 28, aren't working with a social worker, and are interested in putting together a Lifebook with Power of Story that reflects your history, stories, photos, and medical information.

https://form.jotform.com/230374505837155

03/04/2023

Owning your medical records is as important as owning your future - foster youth, get organized today!

https://powerofstory.us/