Making It Happen Foundation

Forever Family Friday – De’Juan

February 4, 2022

Last week I posted Maribel. Man…you all got to chatting! This type of engagement is so needed. Lots of conversations and questions and input. This is wonderful! Yes we desperately want forever families for these kids BUT we value the dialogue, thoughts and suggestions! Please keep the conversations going on and off social media. Talk about these kids in your family discussions, in your groups, at the office, anywhere…just keep talking!!! This is a flawed system and anything we can do to help improve it is awesome! A few things I would like to remind you:

1. It costs nothing to adopt from foster care. Finances continue to be a topic and I can assure you the $30,000+ price tag adopting from foster care is just not true! If you find otherwise please DM me!

2. There is not an official age limit for foster parents or adoptive parents. People in their 70s have adopted children! If you have an open heart and can open your home… you are a candidate!

3. There are great organizations that help but we need more. If you have a heart for children and can’t adopt…considering becoming a CASA volunteer or plug into an organization that is making a difference. That is a great official first step to take.

4. Our foundation resources page has some great starting points.

Here’s someone who needs us! Please meet De’Juan from Arizona! He is an active and sociable 14 year old. In his free time, he likes to play sports, video games, and card games. He especially enjoys playing basketball and football. De’Juan loves sub sandwiches and one of his favorite restaurants is Subway. I need to work on that. De’Juan likes listening to music and likes to rap. When it comes to his personality, De’Juan can be entertaining, outgoing, and funny. De’Juan is a smart kid who enjoys learning new things. He says his favorite subject at school is recess because he gets to play football with his friends. De’Juan would thrive in a family that is loving and could help reinforce positive family dynamics in his life. Ideally, De’Juan’s forever family would be one that could provide him a safe, stable, structured environment with clear expectations. De’Juan wants potential adoptive families to know that he is an animal lover and cares for others. Wow! Sounds like a pretty amazing kid. For more information please contact Heather@[email protected]

Forever Family Friday – Maribel

January 28, 2022

Here’s a NOT so fun fact about “our” foster care system that many of you know but some don’t. And I say our system because it’s not “their” or “my” or “your” foster care system. The problem belongs to “ALL” of us whether we believe it or not. At age 18 the kids in the foster care system just “age out.” The end of their journey in the foster care system. Do we have organizations in place that try to help kids in this situation? Yes! Organization like @ComfortCases are doing a tremendous job. Is it enough? No! Have a few places made arrangements to try to assist kids until they’re 21? A few, but not near enough. 20% of the children who were in the foster care system at some point instantly are homeless. That means one in five kids who are currently “in the system” will be on their own with no family at age 18. One in five! Boom – on their own overnight! Happy 18th Birthday, here are your things in a black garbage bag, best wishes and don’t call us, we’ll call you. Our family has dealt with this situation so many times it would make your head spin and never gets any easier. We think they have the ability to figure it all out and make major life decisions: find a place to live, have food for 3 meals a day, get a job, transportation, open a bank account (which you need an address to do) etc. We’re kidding each other if we think that’s going to happen. My heart aches for kids without a mom or dad, but especially this age group. I think that’s why I’ve been so passionate about older kids in foster care. I know when they are offered hope and opportunity it can change their life. Please allow me to introduce Maribel. She has 4 more years and she then will be included in the statistics and situations that we have just discussed. Her urgency is real!

Maribel is 14 and lives in Florida. She is a little more reserved when you first meet her. She can be shy, but once she opens up, she is one of the sweetest, most caring children you will ever meet. She is smart, does well in school and is described by her friends as funny and nice. Maribel is someone who will always bring a smile to your face and is easy to be around. She wants to be part of a family setting and is very anxious to find her Forever Family. She is strong, resilient and doesn’t let her past define her or hold her back from accomplishing her goals. She has a lot of love to give and wants to share that with parents. And future pets! Let’s help find this young lady a home and ensure that she does not become a statistic.❤For more information please contact Heart Gallery of Tampa at 813-314-2021

Forever Family Friday – Jabari

January 22, 2022

This was an exciting week for Team Tuohy… we learned that one of the children we featured has been matched with her forever family! It’s just positive affirmation that together we can continue to make a difference. It’s multiple exclamation points at the end of the sentence. We are so thrilled and so excited for her!!! I felt three was a good number! And I can imagine in her mind she is now breathing a small sigh of relief that some of her anxiety and uncertainty will be coming to an end. So while we say a prayer of gratitude and take a moment to celebrate, today is Friday and we have to focus on yet another beautiful face wishing for a mom and dad….wishing for a forever family. I know, it’s a roller coaster of emotions. We find a family for one child and oh crap …she’s posting another child. But you guys are so important to this process, to this work we are doing. PLEASE continue. One step forward and two steps back. Hang with me. Please do not give up! And here’s one reason not to quit on me now!

Please meet Jabari. He is 13 and lives in Alabama. Jabari is loving, kind and always has a huge smile on his face. He enjoys playing outside sports and video games. Science is his favorite subject and he enjoys school overall. Pizza and chicken wings are his favorite foods, although he will eat just about everything! His wish for a forever family is one that is nice and helpful. That is NOT a tall list! If you can be that special family for Jabari, or know someone who can, please reach out to Robin at [email protected]

Forever Family Friday – Tasia

January 15, 2022

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” As we approach this upcoming remembrance day for Dr. King so many things go through my head. But one in particular stands out and that is, what are we doing for others? What are you doing for others? Am I doing enough for others? Volunteering, serving, giving, tutoring, mentoring, encouraging, uplifting…are you doing these things? Are we doing these things for the hundreds of thousands of children that do not have a forever family? I’m going to keep on banging the drum for the kids with no one to champion for them. This Monday is so much more than a day off from work. It is a day to SERVE! I ask you – to serve the foster and adoptive families you may know. If your time is limited, go online and make a donation. And even better, contact the agencies we have listed and inquire about the children we are posting. Ask what you can do for them to help. Our world is a better place when we serve others. There is no better time than right now to jump in and be a difference maker and that can start with you sharing Tasia!

Tasia is 15 years old and lives in South Carolina. She describes herself as having great potential, a great personality and smart. LOVE THAT! She is interested in becoming a doctor when she grows up. In the meantime she is perfecting her math skills (her favorite subject) and her basketball skills as she is a member of her school’s basketball team! Some of her favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, pumpkin pie, red rice and chicken. Tasia seeks family members who are pet friendly, enjoy spending time outdoors and who like traveling. For more information on Tasia please contact Shannon at (843) 519-0097 or [email protected]. Photo by Jeni Zapor

Forever Family Friday – Alysa and Issak

January 7, 2022

Is it too late to say Happy New Year? We are 7 days into 2022 so hopefully it’s ok. We all know that with a new year comes fresh starts, clean slates, new beginnings and cheers to hope, health, happiness and answered prayers! I know many of you made resolutions and I hope you keep each of them. BUT, if you want to make a resolution that is gratifying and a difference maker in the life of a child consider being a foster parent or adopting a child out of foster care or helping someone with an adoption. My resolution is to work harder in 2022 to find forever families for the kids we post each week. To be able to see these kids have a lifetime of birthdays and celebrations. Of security, support, carpools, slumber parties, school events and good night hugs. Please continue to journey with us and hopefully we can make that happen, one child at a time, one Forever Family Friday at a time. Please help us to show people that these kids are in foster care through no fault of their own. They are not damaged goods or delinquents. They are kids that just want a family. They just want to be loved. My prayer is that selfless people who desire to make a difference in this world will take a leap of faith and join us in encouraging others to help us find these forever families. Here are two amazing, deserving and valuable kids that need us.

Please meet Alysa (12) and Isaak (10) from SC! Alysa is an active girl who enjoys being outdoors planting flowers and vegetable gardens. She likes to volunteer in her community and keeping things tidy. We certainly need more of that! She wants a family that will help her continue volunteering but also a family that is flexible, are good listeners and are willing to help her navigate life! Issak is extremely thoughtful, creative and is easy to fall in love with. He is helpful and loves completing tasks and puzzles. Issak enjoys being outside hiking, swimming, exploring. Issak hopes to travel the world some day!

Can you be part of the solution in 2022 for Alysa and Issak? Can you connect them with their forever family? It takes all of us to share, post, comment, like, but mostly pray. Thank you!! Click HERE to see Alysa and Issak’s video. For more info go to https://americaskidsbelong.org/adoption-inquiry-tn/?pass_entry=uzcit or DM us!

Forever Family Friday week 60 – Dravion

December 24, 2021

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…We all know this classic story and most of us know it by heart. I know as I recall and recite it year after year it stirs up warm fuzzy heart felt memories and magical moments for me. Unfortunately the holidays are not so magical for the many kids in foster care. Many are afraid and alone and not sure who will take care of them. There are a vast number that will age out of the system today or tomorrow or next week and they have no future or plans or PARENTS to help them maneuver and navigate life. It does not matter if the child is in foster care or aging out of foster care… the needs are great and the resources are limited. You can become part of the Christmas magic for Dravion. You have the ability to make a difference in Dravion’s life. Let’s join together to see if we can think of someone… you? your neighbor? your friend? Someone who would open their heart and their home to this young man. Someone that can ensure Dravion is loved and has wonderful memories of not only Christmas but life!

Let me introduce you to this amazing young man! Dravion is a loving and energetic 10 year old and lives in Alabama. He loves school and learning each day, and he is competitive and strives to be the best at everything he does. Dravion says he likes to play basketball, football and Uno, and wants to be Flash when he grows up to run fast to get the bad guys and take them to the police. I love that! He will need a family that can provide structure, has patience and will help with communication with his siblings. Let’s try and make a Christmas miracle for Dravion. Can you help? For all questions and inquiries about Dravion please reach out to [email protected] for more information.

#FamiliesDontHaveToMatch

#Adoption

#Love

Forever Family Friday week 59 – Bentley

December 17, 2021

Can I please just take a minute of your day and tell you how much I love hearing, receiving, reading and responding to all your comments about or on our Forever Family Friday posts. Some of you share your story about when you were adopted. Some of you share about adopting your children. Many of you share about how you are fostering kids or have fostered them in the past. Each time I read one of these I pause and lift you up in prayer and am so grateful for your story! Many of you say you would like to foster or adopt but cannot due to age or finances or circumstances. I understand. Truly I do! But please remember the main requirement for fostering or adoption is willingness and love. If you have an interest in either I encourage you to get your home study done and contact the amazing people we list on these posts. And check out the resources on our websites to guide you and get you the information you need. Prayerfully consider whether you can open your heart and your home to a child that needs a forever family. The cost to adopt from foster care should cost you almost nothing. Let us know if this is not the case. We will jump in and do what we can to help. And if you have gotten this far in reading my post…thank you!!! I appreciate you more than you know! Now let me introduce you to a young man that needs us. Could you imagine getting a FAMILY for Christmas!!

Please meet Bentley. He is 9 years old, lives in Florida and is ready to thrive! An active and talented young athlete, Bentley easily picks up new sports and excels in many. He dreams of being a professional basketball player when he grows up, or a police officer. He is also an accomplished artist who will sketch his favorite anime character with ease. He also likes reading graphic novels. This multi-talented third grader admits he learned this year that “being smart is a good thing,” and is enjoying every subject in school, especially math and science, where he wants to “learn more about how the solar system works.”

Bentley needs safe and consistent caregivers who are comfortable with teaching and modeling healthy adult/child and peer relationships so that he can continue to grow his social skills. He is friendly and engages easily with others. He’s got a good sense of humor, and knows how to hold a conversation. Bentley’s proudest moment last year was when he helped out a friend who was being bullied. Can you be Bentley’s forever family? For more info please contact @heartgallerytpa 813-314-2021. And for resources please visit https://www.makingithappenfoundation.com/forever-family…/

#FamiliesDontHaveToMatch

#Adoption

#Love

Forever Family Friday week 58 – Anna

December 13, 2021

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I can hear the song in my head as I’m writing this. The hap, hap happiest season of all…or at least it is for many of us. However, while we are busily making merry and bright, please don’t lose sight of the fact that some are not. You never know what others are going through and for some it is hard to get in the Christmas spirt especially for kids that are lingering in the foster care system. Images of perfect families and amazing times are all over tv and everyone’s social media. We’ve all heard that comparison is a thief and this is often a hard pill to swallow. Perfect is a hard standard to measure up to. I ask that this season more than ever you pray by name for these kids and their future forever families. Pray for kindness and peace. Our hope is that these kids feel the possibilities, the joy and the love this Christmas season. Know that they are wanted and valuable and perfect in God’s eyes. The gifts you have provided will be wonderful and so uplifting for their spirits. I would also like to encourage you, if you are able to give locally, as well. I walked by a Salvation Army Angel tree this week that was full of names and my heart broke because every piece of paper on that tree has a story and a need. I’m still so moved by all of y’all’s generosity to our #ForeverFamilyFriday. You have helped make a difference! Again…thank you so very much! Ok…Let me please introduce you to Anna. She needs our help!

Anna is 16 years old and lives in Tennessee. She is caring and enjoys connecting with others. Shopping, going to the zoo, doing crafts and getting her nails done are things she likes to do. She likes animals. And blowing bubbles! Oh goodness…that makes me happy. Anna said she makes friends easily and enjoys school. Sonic burgers are a favorite. She would like a forever family that will love her and take care of her. She deserves that! Can you help? Do you know someone who can? Please inquire at americaskidsbelong.org or DM us at @mihfoundation!

Click to view David’s video

#FamiliesDontHaveToMatch

#NationalAdoptionMonth

#Adoption

#Love

Andrae

December 6, 2021

Thank you…Thank you…Thank you!!! My heart is bursting with gratitude for each and everyone of you. You came through in a huge way for our Forever Family Friday Christmas Wish Lists!! I mean like a boss! There will be many, many smiles on Christmas morning because of YOU! We fulfilled wish lists for so so many deserving kids and organizations and agencies that are making a difference each and every day. Listen to me…Onward and upward while the momentum is on our side let’s continue posting, praying for and talking about these kids. We will continue sharing these children each week that are in need of a Forever Family as long as we have you guys working along with us. Many of you have said you value these posts. That you look forward to praying for these kids. We will continue to press on and continue to share them as long as you continue to go shoulder to shoulder with us because it takes us all!

Please meet 12 year old Andrae. He lives in Alabama and is outgoing, energetic, and enjoys playing outside. Andrae especially loves dogs and often takes the role of caring for them. Andrea describes himself as smart, intelligent, thoughtful. He enjoys school and learning and is very competitive. He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. Andrae will benefit from a structured, patient family who will provide him with unconditional love. He desires a forever home and loves the possibility of being a part of a permanent family in addition to being in contact with his siblings. We should all have the opportunity to be a part of a permanent family. Can you help? For more information please contact [email protected]

#ForeverFamilyFriday

#FamiliesDontHaveToMatch

#Adoption

#FosterCare

#Love

Base Camp Coding Academy

November 29, 2021

Base Camp Coding Academy is a non-profit program that offers challenging, fun, hands-on software development training to nominated Mississippi students. Every Base Camp student receives a 100% scholarship. In this alternative to a traditional college experience, the students are trained in the fundamentals, as well as front end, back end, Java and Spring.

For more information on Base Camp Coding Academy please click here.

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