EX FOSTER KIDS UNITE

On The Town with Tanya Cooper

2014-08-12T21:55:00.001-07:00

blog family!

R.I.P to Robin Williams and prayers and love to his family!

Depression is serious, if you have a sadness that will not leave, that haunts you, that makes you hurt yourself or want to hurt others SEEK HELP from friends, family or doctor! Don't allow the pain to take you from us, we need you in the universe! Know that you are loved and we ALL matter xo

in case you did not know I have MANY hobbies, I am sharing the two most important - helping foster kids and former fosters who are adults and trying to advance education in some way. FosterKidsUnite, Inc is now a reality thanks to my brothers friends!! We hope to do more to help foster kids. You will be hearing more soon! Thank you for supporting the blog! My other love, since I was 12 I wanted to be queen of late night TV- have my own talk show!! yes, before I heard of Oprah I LOVED Carol Burnett, Sammy Davis, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Gilda Ratner and the OLD SNL!!! I use to write scripts like I was on staff!! lol I recently started stand up comedy AND I am doing On The Town until NBC, CBS or ABC call!!! lol

Remember to dream big, nothing is impossible, things may not go as planned at first, you may see no money at first, but if its your dream, it cant be wrong!!! Go big!! God would want it that way!!

Don't forget to always go back and help others...and if you have nothing, that's ok too, give your heart and your time to help others.

Gratitude and Giving...best things in life are free!!! xo
TC

your first week in a group home or foster care?

2014-08-02T20:33:00.001-07:00

Foster Leaders Talent Intro

2014-07-23T23:24:00.001-07:00

Tamela Mann - Take Me To The King

2014-07-23T22:06:00.001-07:00

sometimes things will get hard but we never give up, we fight harder, cry less and remember that God has divine purpose for us! When I am down I love to listen to this song it reminds me that we are human and all go through emotional turmoil.

What you do with the challenges in life is what counts. Put on a good song that soothes your soul or lets out how you feel, then move on to your greatness!

You may be at a low point in your life; no job, no place to live, maybe no food. This is when you are being tested. Think of all your talent and skill that could be making you money to pay bills and be independent! Maybe you are an artist, singer, dancer, writer, cleaner, babysitter, YEs, it takes skill to do all of these things, you have to figure out how to make your gift and talent into a cash flow!! Put on your thinking cap because giving up is NEVER an option, we are fosters and we fight until the very last breath. I want your fight to be non violent to be a mental challenge on how do I get from point A to point B, without harming myself, others or lowering my standards and abiding by the law? You can do it no matter how old you are, you can be someone great. You were born to be here!!! xo

Tanya

Neville Brothers - Yellow Moon

2014-07-22T17:15:00.001-07:00

Hi blog family!

Today my brother would be 46, unfortunately heart disease took him too soon. My birth mom also died (at 42, she outlived her son)...R.I.P to her for birthing me and to my brother for helping me get through the first 21 years of life and helping me grow as a person for 41 years of his life!

It is important to honor those that got you hear, (even if it did not work out), we all have divine purpose. Our siblings help us through foster care after a parent and family are no longer found, honor that and thank God for whatever time you have with a sibling - it will help you grow in many ways!!

To all those who lost a sibling in foster care through adoption, I imagine your pain is as deep as mine if u lived with that sibling for at least the first 5 years of your life! I will never forget my brother that died nor my brother Mark Rochester, who was adopted off around 3 years old!! NEVER FORGET and honor them by doing good for others! I am excited to help foster kids in my brothers honor! xo

Tanya

Bringing good into existence with I AM

2014-07-14T18:02:00.002-07:00

hi blog family!
I hope all is well. Life is great when you live it!
* remember the book above is at Amazon.com*

hope summer is awesome! The universe is moving, growing and you should be too! I am so excited for life each day I wake, why? Because I am somebody! I am not defined by foster care and foster care was my experience not my life! I am grateful, I am loving of my creator for making me, I am somebody with a dream of helping others in care!

I was reading this today, very helpful. I love Joel and Victoria, they are true inspirations, accepting nothing but the best from all of us! Are you giving and expecting the best in this life? Read below, I am grateful that I can share this with you! xo Tanya

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Have you ever considered the power of the statement, “I am”? What follows these two simple words will determine what kind of life you live. “I am blessed. I am strong. I am healthy.” Or, “I am slow. I am unattractive. I am stupid.” The “I am’s” that are coming out of your mouth will bring either success or failure. All through the day the power of “I am” is at work in our minds. Many times we use the power of “I am” against us. We don’t realize how it’s affecting our future.

Here’s the principle. What follows the “I am” will always come looking for you. The good news is that you get to choose what follows the “I am.” When you go through the day saying, “I am blessed,” blessings come looking for you. “I am talented.” Talent comes looking for you. You may not feel up to par but when you say, “I am healthy,” health starts heading your way. “I am strong.” Strength starts tracking you down. You’re inviting that into your life. Get up in the morning and invite good things into your life. Declare “I am blessed. I am strong. I am talented. I am disciplined. I am focused. I am prosperous.” And always make sure God’s truth follows “I am”!

The Secret & The Law of Attraction by Wayne Dyer

2014-07-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

your first week in a group home or foster care?

2014-07-13T09:45:00.001-07:00

keep on moving, the storm shall pass

2014-07-13T09:38:00.001-07:00

my friend Sharisse..singing Cold War ~ Janelle Monae (cover)

2014-07-13T09:36:00.001-07:00

hi blog family:

I post this so that you will listen to the words. You have divine purpose- know it and know HOW your gift and purpose will save or change a life!!! Nile Rogers Something Distribution has a saying" Stand for something or fall for anything.." Do you and know that YOU are it!! xo

Tanya

Tamela Mann - Take Me To The King

2014-07-09T20:20:00.001-07:00

never get discouraged! What God has for you, no man can undo!! this is my favorite song!!

Tanya

Learn to live in silence and enjoy YOU and doing nothing

2014-07-09T14:33:00.001-07:00

hi blog family!
May 28th was a success again this year thanks to my brother's friends!! some video is available on vimeo! I will share next time :)

my only advice: Work on you, everything else will follow! If you are standing still its because the universe wanted you to sit and enjoy your own silence and peace. Learn to enjoy you, even in quiet, even in pain, even in laughter, there is no one like YOU!
xo
Tanya

FosterKidsUnite, Inc. is about to be a full reality soon, thanks to my brother's great friends! I will be announcing our board members and website soon!!!

Rebounding after death abandonment

2014-06-21T18:41:00.001-07:00

Hi Blog Family!
I pray you are all well and with love in your hearts. June 10th made 5 years since my baby brother, (who grew up with me in foster care since he was a toddler), died at 41 of heart disease! Time moves fast and waits for no one!

I share with you how I made it through my grief of losing the only person in the world I knew, had my back, no matter what. My life has never been the same since he died. I am a witness that no matter what you lose in this life, as long as its not your mind, lol, (I actually did lose that briefly) but thankfully, as a former counselor, I knew how to bring it back!

1. I did cry, scream and let my body go through the regular emotions from grief. If you don't cry or feel a loss when you lose a sibling you grew up with, you may want to check that with a therapist, as it is NORMAL to grieve, it is normal to feel abandoned all over again, as long as you don't wallow in it and get stuck in that loss feeling like when you were in foster care after 6 months.

2.Once I let it all out of my system, (and it took 3 years to WANT to move forward) STOP playing violins, we all lose love ones, we all must go one day. What will you do to make your siblings life not be in vain? My brother's friends and I help foster kids that are aging or aged out of foster care and going to college or trade school. We provide non traditional services. We all do the work for FREE, yes, giving back is how you move forward after death of a loved one! When you sit in pity too long, you may become pitiful. Remember God loves you, has great things planned for you, IF you get off the couch and go after your dreams!

3. Be thankful to God for ALL the years he DID give you with your sibling! 41 years, I was blessed to have known my brother, my other brother Mark got adopted off around 3 years old to a doctors family who had a daughter around 5 at the time in Elmsford, NY!! I only had 3 years, but enough for him to leave an impression on me and long enough for me to know we loved each other. Siblings teach you how to deal with other people and situations when your parents are not around! Just like your parents are a vehicle to get you here, your siblings is a vehicle to keep you strong and sharp, give you a backbone! They are there to make you strong, teach you how to cry, and move on, drive you crazy, so when you do hit a bump in life, you don't really go crazy. (lol) those who have siblings that can be a pain at times, you know what I mean! God made siblings so you don't always have to go through your parents to learn something!!!

I hope this helped in some way. This is solely my opinion and I only write to share what I know as my truth in hopes that YOU will become the dynamic person you were born to be! Enjoy your summer all my graduates. Congrats!!!
Smile, someone is watching you!!

ps. If anyone is in NY/Westchester area and wants to volunteer at FosterKidsUnite, Inc. please leave me your email!! If we don't do the work - it won't get done!!! Lets make it a goal for ALL foster and former Foster's to get the highest education you can and when you do make it, go back to the group homes and orphanages and help our brothers and sisters that want help!! xo
T

Former Gang Members Build Peaceful Communities in 'License to Operate'

2014-06-16T21:44:00.003-07:00

Former Gang Members Build Peaceful Communities in 'License to Operate'

Hi Blog Family!

for my young ones that are about that life- thought this article by Alissa Fleck would be helpful in you finding your way around gang life! You are a leader not follower. Any activity promoting violence should not be in your life. Death is sure to come to all of us one day, no need to rush it!. Hope summer is kicking off with graduations and moving up! xo T

Former Gang Members Build Peaceful Communities in 'License to Operate'

2014-06-16T21:44:00.001-07:00

your first week in a group home or foster care?

2014-06-16T20:21:00.001-07:00

Summer is upon us as FosterKidsUnite celebrates its 4th year!

2014-06-11T15:00:00.001-07:00

looking back on some of FosterKidsUnite, Inc. past 4 years!

May National Foster Care Awareness Month an event we do at our local Mount Kisco Library to raise awareness on foster care and adoption AND every year we choose a different theme that needs life- this year was healing from Trauma in relation to abandonment/foster care/adoption.

FosterKidsUnite, Inc. mission - helping those aged out of foster care with non traditional services:

self help guide book for foster kids,

The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship, (for those in school and need items during a semester,

gift boxes during testing, (these are items a parent would have bought and sent to the school while their kid is away and college); gift cards to khols, Macy's, under garments, personal supplies, scarves, cologne, perfume, socks,lots of snacks for exam day!!).. Staples, Amazon, Starbucks, A & P food store, (thanks to St. Joseph Seniors!!)

BIG THANK YOU TO ALL MY DECEASED BROTHERS FRIENDS WHO HELPED MAKE HELPING OUR KIDS POSSIBLE! MY BROTHER KNEW WHO WAS GOOD TO HIM AND I WISH HE WAS HERE TO SEE THE LOVE HIS FRIENDS HAVE SHARED WITH FOSTER KIDS!! HE TOLD ME BEFORE HIS DEATH THAT IF I EVER NEEDED ANYTHING I COULD CALL ON THOSE FRIENDS, AND THEY CAME THROUGH FOR THIS- MUCH THANKS!

Hey blog family!

hope all is well and you are on your way to greatness!
Summer is upon us and this should be a time for you to vacation your mind, body and soul!! Learn how to go away for two hours, a week or two weeks, as long as you know how to silence your mind from the world and work chaos and enjoy YOU and your FAMILY in your life (friends included)!

Life is so short, yesterday marked 5 years since my baby brother who grew up with me in foster care died of heart disease! I could have never imagined the world without him, but as you and i see, LIFE keeps on moving even when we or a loved one dies!! I never thought i would make it this far but God is good as i have faith of a mustard seed! Keep loving yourself and knowing what your value is to this earth! We all have one if you don't know or not sure, keep living you will find out what YOUR passion is and how to turn it into a life saver for someone else!
Time, if your allowed it, is your best friend for finding what you love and don't love in this life! Live it with honor love and integrity ALWAYS, never compromising for money, man, woman or Satan, (the later will lead you to all the others, lol)- wait did my auto corrector just correct satan and put a capitol?? no it didn't!!! lol i don't think satan should be capitalized, hello, he is the devil!!!

lol in all seriousness, don't give him or it a capital in your life, leave the s in satan small so you are sure not to give it NO attention this summer!!
I pray for all peace, love, happiness and finding your comfort financial place!
To all my fosters, I pray you stay safe this summer, congratulations on school being out!! Don't let anyone tell you your place in this world, enjoy your summer and go get it- whatever you want legal and good for you, go get it as Mary Mary says in their song GET YOUR BLESSING!!!! enjoy your summer!
Hopefully FosterKidsUnite, Inc will be a finished reality soon! We helped 3 more foster youth aged out this year and hoping you help 10 of your next year! xo
TC

Sade - When Am I Going To Make A Living

2014-06-03T17:46:00.001-07:00

were hungry but we won't give up - hungry but were going to win! when things get hard, pray and stay focused on your goals - never give up! God gave you a brain, use it..xo

R.I.P Karen Soul II Soul - Keep On Movin'

2014-06-03T16:57:00.001-07:00

let no one stop you from dreaming! stay focused, keep on moving...xo

Tanya

FosterKidsUnite, Inc official summer is upon us

2014-06-02T16:04:00.001-07:00

Hi Blog family!

I am so excited that FosterKidsUnite, Inc. is now official! We are hoping to provide foster youth aged out and adults who were in care, and in school with non traditional services!
Congratulations to Devon, Shantha, (honorable mentions), and Mercy -recipient of The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship 2014!!! You are all amazing youth and I hope your rewards will help you with items needed in college!

I am so thankful we were able to provide an extra cushion to those in school and without parents- I made it through NYU because of Quaker who helped me with books!
Never take it lightly when someone or an organization wants to help relieve some of your burden from school! Be grateful someone is thinking of you there are plenty of places they could spend their money- be grateful and pay it forward!! No one HAS to help you, we do because we love that you are moving forward, even without family! We do it because we know you will come back and pay it forward!!

Learn to say thank you and always send a thank you note to any person or agency that helps you. It shows that you too took time to think of them!

I pray you are all ready for graduation and moving up! I want you to reach for the stars, the sky is the limit because GOD made you limitless!!

Congratulations to all who finished and worked hard. And for those that have to do summer school, don't be mad, put in the time and get your mind right- it will help you in the end get better work if your educated!! If this is your last year and you cannot go to college, don't be mad, find something you are good at, something the world needs and find a way to get it to us. You can start your own business IF you have an idea and can fill a need! my brother Rob and I use to say this when we were down in foster care: "We never give up!! and neither should you!!xo

Tanya

Celebrate National Foster Care Awareness Month!

2014-05-24T09:28:00.002-07:00

Hi blog family!

I am praying you are all in good spirits and with love in your hearts and home! Don't forget our event May 28th at Mount Kisco Library 4-6pm!!

Megan & I have been very busy trying to make FosterKidsUnite, Inc. a reality! We are in the mist of things but lets just say we are on our way! We also welcome Judy and Sara as new board members and we thank Iris and Tati for being willing to help us! I remember when my brother passed away 5 years ago, June 10th,( time is flying), I had no idea how I would start FosterKidsUnite with little or no money, can I say, God always sends me angels with big hearts & pocketbooks!

If you ever have an idea, that will save or change a life, and you know God sent you the idea, ACT ON IT!! Don't be afraid to ask others for help! I am committed to providing non traditional services for foster and former foster youth. Non of my staff is taking a salary because this is God's work!

I have had people think that I was not smart for taking a salary but they don't know, in my life God comes first and then me! I am blessed to have many talents I can capitalize on, helping others through FosterKidsUnite, Inc. is not one of them! I am so glad that God has sent me Angels who not only support me, but feel the same way! Learn to help others because its the right thing to do, not because you can get rich! We are all one and if you don't have, I don't have...

Enjoy your Saturday. Learn to write down your goals and like me, you will be checking them off as complete one day!!

xo
Tanya

Nonprofit TV Show Found Causes "Foster Care"

2014-05-04T15:17:00.001-07:00

God bless those that help others!

Figuring it out!

2014-05-01T11:04:00.001-07:00

Hi blog family!!

HISTORY 101- "know your ancestors, then you will know what greatness you came from!" - Tanya

Do you see this great woman! An original "American"- Do you know what she went through and now life is better for us? I doubt she ever complained. Look at her carefully, you can see she comes from good stock and is very mentally and physically strong - nothing in this life can deter her, for she is a true warrior- like our ancestors...and no matter what happens physically in this life, as long as you have breath - you too are a warrior!!

It does not take much to figure out that YOU are a superstar waiting to shine!

How do we know this? Why am I having a hard time as a former foster figuring out where I belong in the world? Why don't things come easy for me? Why do I have no family and if I do, they are not reliable?

A lot of questions!! Hold your horses, lol !!

First: We are ALL in this world trying to figure out why we are here, (including your parents and family), why some were born with more than others and how that applies to US- it doesn't - don't worry about what someone else has- it has NOTHING to do with you!! We are each here for OUR OWN experience!!!! Some of us get guided by family friends, others, have to find their way - either way is ok IF you wake each day and LEARN a new lesson that gets you closer to the reason...ie, purpose.

No man woman boy or girl will escape reality of life, good and bad things happen to good people!
You may be a teen reading this living in a group home, you may be a house mom who use to be in foster care, you may be in a transitional home, does not matter- what you need to know is YOU HAVE DIVINE PURPOSE!!!

When I discovered that at an early age, I knew that even sexual abuse could not stop me from getting to my greatestness AND that once I found that greatness, I would be lead to helping, healing and saving others and get out of MYSELF!
I live everyday trying to figure out HOW to get to the next step that will lead me to my calling- I know it is helping others in foster care but way bigger than this!!

I have had many downfalls, (epic fails as the teens say, lol), but I get back up each time, dust myself off, laugh and cry a little, then hit the road harder!!

You were chosen because God knew that YOU COULD handle it!!! Stop saying why me and say WHY NOT ME? No one is extinct from error, hurt, death, sickness and NO one is extinct from finding their GREATNESS that will help them help others move through this life!!

Everything material you see, its all an illusion, don't get caught up in the worldly assets, get caught up on how many lives you can save or change - that - will be your biggest success by helping others and sharing your truth!!

You are loved, divine and oh so needed!! xo
Tanya
PS. thanks for all your prayers, God is amazing, life is rewarding when we wake up and take it by the horns!! Wishing you the best for 2014
lol

Special Report: Ft. Hood Shooter Was on Cocktail of Psych Drugs

2014-04-07T08:36:00.001-07:00

Hi blog family!

for those of us on psychological medication-

I want you to remember therapy is most important -

you cannot get well without digging into your past and finding why we need medication or drugs to function daily! If our ancestors can survive Holocaust and Slavery- u can come through any dark period in your life!!

- please research and find a great therapist you trust. I am a big advocate of "talking" out your problems not medicating - which is done often with foster kids!!

Protect your mind!!!

God has so much for you to do, you need to have a clear mind. Never listen to News or others DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH on what is real and what is not!! We have been programmed while in care- deprogram yourself and reach your full potential: eat healthy, protect your mind and exercise!

I want you to stop numbing your brain with video games and negative TV and start searching for healing alternatives, positive people, self help info!!

Have a great day and know you are special, loved and needed by the universe!!

xo

T

faith in hard times

2014-04-04T13:42:00.003-07:00

SAVE THE DATE MAY 28TH!!!

hi blog family!
lol I feel a sermon coming on..
Seriously-
life has been challenging this month for many that I know but I say - hold on help is on the way!

I am sure we have all been tested in our faith at some point - even being in and surviving foster care we must have had "faith" of some sort to have gotten through!
When I was in the height of my abuse as a kid, I always knew it would stop one day - I don't know how but my inner soul comforted me even at my most tortured times...Faith. Believing in the unknown or unseen- comfort, relief is coming...faith got me through AND I maintained my sanity!!

I talked with a few aged out youth this month who are going through rough times; dropping out of school because of money issues, others entering back into society after incarceration and another not happy with their adopted parents because they don't feel supported. All understandable life challenges!! They are not alone and after all they have been through - I still commend them for starting each day new! When you are feeling down and like you are the only one things happen to have Faith...

We must remember that none of us on this earth is extinct from tragedy, illness, death and hard times!!
If we are to come out foster care and into the world to go on to our greatness - we must become "depression and oppression proof"- taking control of our destiny and our minds!! (this is not easy)

we must focus on healing our inner selves with every self help book and video you can find!!

I know for certain, God did not bring any of us this far....to leave us!!
("I don't feel no ways tired-come to far from where I started from, nobody told me that the road would be easy, I don't believe he bought me this far, too leave me") one of my favorite Baptist songs!

While I faced, (like many of you), neglect, abandonment, abuse, loneliness and my sibling dying early, I also faced mental growth, spiritual empowerment, (this does not mean you have to go to church-its from within not- tangible places like a church but inner peace that allows me to stop focusing on MY problems and turn to silence, meditation and prayer for healing that lets me help others on my journey of life. Life for anyone today, especially without family support, is hard, this is true.

a reporter once asked me how I got through what I survived and still be happy - I told her FAITH never left my mind and I knew God was by my side!"
"I do this everyday.. I wake...with FAITH! "
Even if I went homeless, had no food, lost my family, I know that time heals ALL wounds and IF you wake the next day....their is hope to find all those things you lost. Only faith can create certainty in hard times!

Even when my brother died I thought the world ended but I found out it actually goes on even when WE hurt or don't' have!!
If I was ever going to lose faith, it would have been when I lost my baby brother who went to all the group homes/foster homes with me his whole life, (I went signed back into another at 18 because of abuse - but we were "family" to each other and I could not imagine life without him) but life still went on...even when I was distraught)

The key is to keep faith when you are at your lowest OR highest, knowing that "this too, shall pass" is the best quote ever for those who have been through something. We are all energy, moving changing, NOTHING stays the same!!!
That is good and that is what allows us to have faith, faith that things will turn around, faith that the evil in the world will be wiped out because of change, (not from us because we know the best revenge for your enemy....outliving them!!!

My foster mom use to say when I was mad at someone that did me wrong) "you don't ever have to get revenge Tan (my nickname she gave me sounds like Taun), just live long enough and outlive your enemy, that is the best revenge!!"
I got that later in life - if you outlive them, your life and being able to move on to greatness, is the revenge, they did not stop you!!!
IF you are alive you are energy, energy is always moving and can always change....faith...

best advice for those struggling:

Please honor quiet time, God is always speaking to you guiding you but if you are always talking and listening to other noise, you won't hear YOUR message!!
I love being a Quaker for this reason, I learned to listen and spread my light from the message I receive.
We are all here for divine purpose- keep faith at ALL times.
While man is driving us all to a society that pops pills, does not value woman or children, murderous, slanderous and scandalous, know that God and the Universe will have the last say!!
Don't get caught up in todays News, its all sad and bad, get caught up in having FAITH - that YOU can make a difference in a life, that you can reach out to others, that you are special because God brought you through and will keep bringing you through!!

Humans think they know everything but if you keep faith in God, or something higher than you, you will see that "this too shall pass" - NOTHING stays the same and each day you wake- you can be better than yesterday!!! I am so grateful to all my blog viewers- help me spread the word faith!!xo

Tanya

smile someone is watching you! :)
Save the date May 28th 4-6pm