What can you learn from a trash bag? | Keri Richmond | TEDxKentState

TEDx Talks
7 Mar 201712:07
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker shares her personal journey as a foster child, vividly illustrating the struggles and resilience of those in the foster care system. She recounts her experience of moving with only a trash bag of belongings and the transformative impact of receiving support and education. The narrative highlights her advocacy for change, including her work with Together We Rise to replace trash bags with 'Sweet Cases' for foster children, and her role in influencing policy through the Foster Youth Internship Program in Washington DC. The speech is a call to action to carry hope, not burdens, and to recognize the strength and potential of foster children.

Takeaways
  • 👧 The speaker is a former foster child who vividly recalls her experiences, including the emotional pain of leaving behind her favorite stuffed animals when moving between homes.
  • 🏠 The instability of the foster care system is highlighted by the fact that children often move from one home to another with their belongings in trash bags, which can be dehumanizing.
  • 📈 In 2015, there were 427,910 children in foster care in the U.S., a number so large it could fill Ohio State University's stadium four times.
  • 🎒 The speaker's personal story illustrates the impact of a supportive community, as her best friend's family helped her attend college by co-signing a loan.
  • 💼 The speaker interned at Together We Rise, a nonprofit focused on improving the foster care experience, particularly by replacing trash bags with 'Sweet Cases' for children's belongings.
  • 💰 The fundraising goal for each intern was $500, which could provide 20 Sweet Cases, emphasizing the tangible impact of small donations.
  • 🗣️ Personal storytelling was a powerful tool for the speaker in fundraising, as it made the cause personal and relatable to potential donors.
  • 🎓 The speaker's college experience and internships helped her transition from being a victim to a fighter for the rights and well-being of foster children.
  • 🤝 The Foster Youth Internship Program in Washington DC is a platform that empowers former foster youth to use their experiences to advocate for policy changes.
  • 🏛️ The speaker and other interns had the opportunity to present their policy recommendations to influential figures in the U.S. government, demonstrating the power of personal narratives in policy-making.
  • 💪 The speaker emphasizes the strength, resilience, and potential of individuals who have been part of the foster care system, and the importance of hope in overcoming past challenges.
Q & A

  • What is the primary issue the speaker addresses in the foster care system?

    -The speaker addresses the issue of foster children having to move their belongings in trash bags, which sends a negative message about their worth and dignity.

  • How many children were in foster care in 2015 according to the speaker?

    -In 2015, there were 427,910 children in foster care.

  • What personal experience does the speaker share to illustrate the impact of foster care on her life?

    -The speaker shares her experience as a four-year-old foster child who had to leave her favorite Sesame Street stuffed animals behind when moving to a new foster home.

  • What was the turning point for the speaker that allowed her to attend college?

    -The turning point was when her best friend's family took her in and co-signed a loan, making it possible for her to attend college.

  • What is the mission of the nonprofit organization 'Together We Rise' that the speaker interned with?

    -The mission of 'Together We Rise' is to change the way foster youth experience foster care, specifically by replacing trash bags with 'Sweet Cases' for moving their belongings.

  • How much did the speaker raise for 'Together We Rise' and how many children benefited from it?

    -The speaker raised over four thousand dollars, which provided over 160 children with new duffel bags instead of trash bags.

  • What is the significance of the speaker's participation in the Foster Youth Internship Program in Washington DC?

    -The internship allowed the speaker to use her past experiences to advocate for policy changes in the foster care system and to empower current and future foster youth.

  • What did the speaker and her fellow interns do to make a difference in the foster care system?

    -They researched and wrote policy recommendations based on their experiences in the foster care system and presented these to people with the power to enact change.

  • What is the main message the speaker wants to convey to the audience about their own experiences and the potential for change?

    -The main message is that even the most painful experiences can be a driving force for positive change, and that one's worst experiences can inspire the greatest change in others' lives.

  • What is the speaker's birth name and what does it symbolize for her?

    -The speaker's birth name is 'Carry Hope,' symbolizing her mission to carry hope for foster children and to demonstrate that they have the power to overcome their past.

  • How can people help replace a foster child's trash bag with a duffle bag according to the speaker?

    -People can help by visiting the website 'Kerry Hope Richmond' to learn more about how they can contribute to replacing a foster child's trash bag with a duffle bag.

Outlines
00:00
👧 Childhood in Foster Care and the Impact of a Trash Bag

The speaker begins by asking the audience to envision a four-year-old girl in the foster care system, who has experienced multiple homes and a lack of stability. She shares her personal story, identifying herself as that little girl, and describes the emotional pain of leaving behind her cherished Sesame Street stuffed animals when moving between foster homes. The narrative highlights the dehumanizing practice of children carrying their belongings in trash bags, which sends a negative message about their worth. The speaker emphasizes the scale of the issue, with over 427,910 children in foster care in 2015, and calls for a change in how these children's belongings are transported, suggesting the use of 'sweet cases' as a more dignified alternative.

05:00
🌟 From Personal Struggle to Advocacy for Foster Children

The speaker recounts her journey from being a foster child to becoming an advocate for change within the foster care system. She describes how her best friend's family supported her by co-signing a loan for her college education, which was a pivotal moment in her life. This act of kindness inspired her to give back, leading her to intern with the nonprofit organization 'Together We Rise,' which aims to improve the foster care experience. The speaker shares her fundraising efforts to replace trash bags with 'sweet cases' for foster children, emphasizing the importance of personal storytelling in advocacy. Her efforts resulted in raising over four thousand dollars, providing new duffel bags for over 160 children and symbolizing a shift from victimhood to empowerment.

10:02
💼 Policy Change Through Personal Experience and Advocacy

The speaker discusses her involvement in the Foster Youth Internship Program in Washington DC, where she and other foster youth were encouraged to use their past experiences to advocate for policy changes in the foster care system. She details the process of 'rewinding, rethinking, and reacting' to painful memories to create positive change. The interns worked on Capitol Hill, researching and writing policy recommendations based on their firsthand experiences. Their efforts culminated in briefings at the United States Capitol and the White House, where they shared their stories and policy suggestions with influential figures. The speaker reflects on the power of personal stories in driving legislative change and encourages others to recognize their strength and resilience, born from their experiences in the foster care system.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Foster Child
A foster child refers to a minor who has been placed in a ward, group home, or private home by the state welfare agency or court, usually due to abuse, neglect, or other issues in their biological family. In the video, the speaker describes her own experience as a foster child, highlighting the lack of stability and the emotional impact of moving from one home to another.
💡Sesame Street Stuffed Animals
Sesame Street stuffed animals are plush toys based on the characters from the popular children's television show. In the script, these stuffed animals symbolize comfort and a sense of security for the foster child, who had to leave them behind when moving to a new home, underscoring the emotional turmoil associated with the foster care system.
💡Foster Care System
The foster care system is a government or privately operated system designed to provide temporary or long-term homes for children who cannot live with their biological or adoptive families. The video discusses the challenges faced by children within this system, including frequent moves and the lack of personal belongings.
💡Trash Bag
In the context of the video, a trash bag is used metaphorically to describe how children's belongings are transported when they move between foster homes, suggesting a lack of dignity and the dehumanizing nature of the process. The speaker contrasts this with the 'Sweet Cases' initiative, which aims to provide a more respectful way to carry their possessions.
💡Sweet Cases
Sweet Cases are duffel bags provided by the nonprofit organization Together We Rise to replace trash bags that foster children use when moving. The video emphasizes the initiative's goal to give children a sense of dignity and ownership over their belongings, as opposed to the negative connotations associated with trash bags.
💡Nonprofit
A nonprofit organization, as mentioned in the script, is a type of entity that operates without the primary goal of making a profit, often focusing on serving a public or social cause. The speaker interned with Together We Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the foster care experience.
💡Fundraising
Fundraising is the process of collecting voluntary donations of money or other resources, often from individuals or organizations. In the video, the speaker recounts her efforts to raise $500 to provide Sweet Cases for foster children, illustrating the power of personal storytelling in motivating support.
💡Personal Story
A personal story is an individual's account of their experiences, often used to connect with others on an emotional level. The speaker uses her own story to advocate for change in the foster care system, showing that sharing personal narratives can be a powerful tool for inspiring action.
💡Policy Change
Policy change refers to the modification or creation of new policies, often in response to identified needs or issues. The video discusses the speaker's involvement in recommending policy changes based on her experiences in the foster care system, aiming to improve conditions for future foster youth.
💡Foster Youth Internship Program
The Foster Youth Internship Program mentioned in the script is a specific initiative designed for individuals who have been part of the foster care system. It provides opportunities for these young adults to learn about policy-making and advocate for improvements in the system, reflecting the video's theme of empowerment and positive change.
💡Resilience
Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or to endure hardships without breaking. The speaker describes herself and her peers as strong, bold, and resilient due to their experiences in the foster care system, emphasizing that overcoming adversity can lead to personal growth and the capacity to effect change.
Highlights

The speaker, a former foster child, vividly describes her experience with the foster care system, emphasizing the emotional impact of moving from home to home with only a trash bag for her belongings.

In 2015, there were 427,910 children in foster care, highlighting the scale of the issue and the need for systemic change.

The use of trash bags to move children's belongings is criticized for the negative message it sends about their worth and the lack of dignity it affords them.

The speaker's personal story of leaving her adoptive home with only trash bags and no clear future underscores the precariousness of foster children's lives.

A pivotal moment in the speaker's life was when her best friend's family co-signed a loan for her college education, demonstrating the transformative power of support and belief in someone's potential.

The nonprofit organization 'Together We Rise' is introduced, which aims to improve the foster care experience by providing 'Sweet Cases' as a dignified alternative to trash bags for moving.

The speaker's fundraising efforts for 'Sweet Cases' were deeply personal, leveraging her own story to inspire donations and replace trash bags with duffel bags for foster children.

The impact of the fundraising campaign is significant, with over $4,000 donated and 160 children receiving new duffel bags, symbolizing a small but meaningful improvement in their lives.

The speaker's transformation from a victim to a fighter for the rights of foster children illustrates the power of personal growth and advocacy.

The Foster Youth Internship Program in Washington DC is highlighted as a platform for foster youth to use their experiences to influence policy and create positive change.

The internship encourages participants to 'rewind, rethink, and react' to their past experiences, using them as a foundation for advocacy and policy recommendations.

The speaker's work on Capitol Hill with the senator and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute demonstrates the direct impact of personal stories on policy-making.

The importance of personal storytelling in policy advocacy is emphasized, as it makes abstract issues personal and compelling for policymakers.

The speaker reflects on the power of reframing one's perspective on painful experiences, turning them into a source of strength and motivation for positive change.

The speaker's pride in her resilience and the strength she gained from her foster care experience challenges the narrative of victimhood and promotes empowerment.

The final message encourages the audience to carry hope rather than burdens, inspired by the speaker's birth mother's choice of her name, 'Carry Hope'.

The call to action invites the audience to consider the plight of foster children and the potential impact of their support, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.

Transcripts

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Foster CareAdvocacyPersonal StoryYouth EmpowermentNonprofitEducationPolicy ChangeMental HealthCommunity SupportInspirationalChange Maker