- info@home4me.org
- PO Box 25123, Charlotte, NC 28229
Home4Me “A Voice for Teens in Foster Care”
While Taking the Concerns of Homelessness from Teens Aging Out of Foster Care.
Because of You, there is a Home4me! That is what I think of when I think of Mary and Freddie Johnson. I was left in the hospital at birth and ultimately in an orphanage until the day Mary Johnson walked in the door and saw a little one sitting in a corner, looking around with eyes filled with little hope.
She tells the story that it only took one look and she called my father and said, “Freddie we are going to have a little girl.” I became that little girl they didn’t have and they became the parents that would change my life forever, and create a safe home for me, and opportunities that would bless my future. When I turned 18 years old I thought I knew enough, I moved a thousand miles away from home only to discover I was not ready for the world that I was now all alone in. Married at 18 thinking that was a safety net, I ended up escaping the abusive marriage with 3 babies at the age of 22. Determined not to be a statistic and learning from the opportunities I had growing up, is what kept me on a path to a successful life despite my circumstances.
Now, my life is dedicated and my eyes are filled with vision and my heart is filled with determination to partner with those who desire to make a difference in the lives of teens who are in and aging out of foster care so when we look into their eyes they see hope and a successful, safe, happy and healthy future.
You can be the Mary and Freddie Johnson in the life of a foster teen or alumni by volunteering, bonding, mentoring, and/or donating to this worthy and much-needed mission to provide Hope – Opportunities – Mentoring – Education to every teen aging out of foster care. Please take time to learn what happens to teens that age out of foster care on their 18th birthday and most important how your support can change the outcome of their future!
Every foster teen deserves to say there is a Home4Me and an opportunity to attend the college of their choice and succeed in life and you can be that difference!
Donna Lee Reed, Motivational & Inspirational Speaker, Life and Success Coach, Pastor and Author of “Life is a Puzzle, Until You Find the Missing Pieces!” (the story of her resolve to move through life overcoming obstacles, abuse, alcohol, and her search for her biological parents that lead her to some of life greatest challenges. The pieces of the puzzle came together to cause Donna to become a successful business woman and sought after motivational speaker and coach). Learn more about Donna at DonnaLeeReed.com
Thank you on behalf of the Youth, Volunteer Staff, and Event Volunteers for Your Donation to Home4Me.
To discuss donations, needs or volunteer opportunities please contact 704-567-5118. God Bless
Right: Donna Lee Reed, Founder & Executive Director of Home4Me, and JaQuon who shared his testimony from abandoned houses and cars to drug to a 4.0 Biology student at Livingstone College!
If you are aging out of foster care and would like to earn a bachelor’s degree contact Home4Me or Livingstone College.
Home4Me “A Voice for Teens in Foster” is a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing Hope, Opportunities, Mentoring, Education (HOME) and — a sense of family — for teens aging out of foster care and those who aged out attending college. Teens age out of the foster care system on their 18th birthday and their resources end! Think about that for a moment! If they do not have a plan, a place or parents they will become homeless. Together we can change the outcomes for our aging out teens! Navigate the Home4Me website for the events, our approach, programs, and how you can get involved!
The Cookbook that was written from the Heart for the Heart to Benefit Teens Aging Out of Foster Care
LEG up on LIFE meets weekly on Zoom and hosts several events planned with participants’ input. LUOL is an engaging experience preparing teens and young adults with life skills, college prep and for a prosperous, healthy, and successful future! Each participant will be matched with a mentor to stay on their success track! Contact us today for registration details! Next session starts in September
Send Your Name to TBAGS.Home4Me@Gmail.com
LEG up on LIFE is the program and strategy designed to guide teens ages 13-15, 16-19 and 20+ through their formative years into a successful future, college, a trade, entrepreneurship or a career. LEG = Leadership – Entrpreneurship – Grooming and LIFE = Living Skills – Innovative Choices – Financial Literacy – Educational Paths. Currently the youth/young adults meet virtually once a week and then their mentor contacts them to ensure they stay on track. See (Our Approach)
“Together We Win” is the Home4Me partnership with HBCU Colleges, the Community, Corporations & Churches to collaborate human and capital resources, for the success and future of our teens aging out of foster. When we come together our youth win!
“Together We Win” Partnering to provide housing, hope, opportunities, mentors and education to ensure a positive, productive and prosperous outcome for youth aging out of foster care.
The National Family Empowerment Conference and EXPO brings together resources, organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs that impact and empower foster and adoptive families with teenagers. The NFECandEXPO provides a national platform with solutions that address the foster care crisis and support families, churches, colleges, providers, and the community around Foster Care, Health, Healing, Housing, and Helping Our Youth Navigate Their Future. NFECandEXPO.com
Teens that are in foster care know that the chance of them being adopted into a forever family is slim to none so preparing them for their future and their 18th birthday is critical. Youth in foster care can move to several locations, houses, or group homes before they turn 18 and the stigma of them receiving trash bags to move their items is very real. The Fill-A-Suitcase with the items that belong to them gives the teens a sense of dignity when they move from place to place.
Ultimate Birthday Party is creatively designed for teens in foster care which gives them an incredible experience and opportunity to celebrate their birthday. Many teens in foster care have never had their own party. The ultimate party allows the teens to be themselves with their peers. They sing, dance, play games, water balloons, musical chairs, draw, eat, laugh and have fun. They receive personalized birthday cards, gifts, cakes, and fun!
The “Because of You” Gala is our annual fundraiser and opportunity to appreciate our supporter, sponsors, volunteers, and youth. Everyone will enjoy an elegant evening of Music, Dinner, Silent Auction, Dance, Entertainment, and many pleasant surprises that makes the Because of You Gala a must attend event. The youth are very instrumental in the planning of the NFECandEXPO and the gala. Because of You there will be a Home4Me.
The Home4Me – College Kit includes the items youth need for their dorm, or first apartment after aging out.
College Kit Includes: microwave, dorm refrigerator, food containers/utensils, hamper, household & personal items, a Bed-in-a-Bag, Fill-a-Suitcase, and individual essentials that are needed.
Bed-in-a-Bag Includes: Matching set of Sheets (flat & fitted), Comforter, Pillow cases, Pillow Shams & Bed Skirt.
Fill-a-Suitcase Includes: New Suitcase, sheet set, towel sets, umbrella, socks, pillow, Gift Card, and Resources.
It is our goal is to give every teen in foster care a Bed-in-a-Bag. When they move from place to place they go into to someone elses room, on someone elses bed and someone elses pillow. Their own bedding will allow them to take their bedding wherever they go and assures us they are warm.
Blanket are important to ensure that youth are warm wherever they are. If the place is cold we know they are warm, if it is warm they can kick off the blanket and if the blanket is used for a sense of security we know they have what they need.
Bikes are important to youth aged out of foster care for transportation to work and college.
Strategically when possible we give backpacks and string bags in place of paper gift bags for reuseable purposes and bags always contain resources.
