My time in Foster Care:The Crucible

“I’ve given my life a moniker: The Crucible.  A crucible is a severe test or trial that refines us, just as the goldsmith melts impurities from gold under intense heat. I’m in the crucible right now, and perhaps I’m writing this blog more for me than you.”

Embo Tshimanga grew up in and out of the foster care system that she is hopeful to change. In addition to the foster homes and group homes that Embo and her three siblings found themselves in from time to time, she has made home in cars, homeless shelters and women’s shelters. After living in over twenty five different homes and attending over twenty five different schools, Embo is committed to helping children and teens in the foster care system realize they are much more than their circumstances, and she seeks to equip those who are aging out for a future beyond high school.

Compassion means that a person's heartbreak and suffering becomes my own heartbreak and suffering. My role as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

"The spark that ignited my passion for philanthropy and serving children began during a mission trip to Mozambique over 15 years ago. I was able to spend a month immersing myself in the vulnerable communities, particularly caring for orphans, helping to rebuild huts in the village and teaching AIDS prevention and English to promote self reliance. 

For every mother and father

"For every mother and father, for every person trying to change the world through the brokenness of the foster system, but most of all, for every hurting child, I write for you." 

Maryssa, a former foster youth, newly married graduate student,  future social worker,  and passionate foster care advocate shares her thoughts about what is important to know before you embark on the foster care journey. 

Belonging, the anthem I always yearned to sing

Annie, a 26 year old, aged out foster youth, and formerly abandoned child finds her way home.

"I longed to be seen. To be noticed. To be embraced. To fit. But most of all, I longed to belong."

I challenged myself to not become a statistic

Tori went into the foster care system permanently when she was thirteen years old. When she turned fifteen, she started to hear people’s concerns about her not graduating high school, not being able to obtain steady employment, and the possibility of becoming pregnant or incarcerated by the time she turned eighteen. She challenged herself to not become a statistic, but she was fearful she was bound for detrimental statistics regardless, until someone assured her, she didn’t have to be.