Meet Candice M Martin
Candice M. Martin (36 yrs) who lives in Hutchinson, KS shared her story with us and here’s what she had to say:
Dream Pathways: How did you hear about We Foster Hope?
Candice: I heard about you through facebook .
Dream Pathways: Can you tell us a little bit about your story?
Candice: As a child of abuse I was placed in foster care at around 9 yrs. old. I was moved from home to home to group home and so on until I aged out of the system at 18 years old. I went from abuse at home to being abused all over again in my first foster home. I ran away from there but was placed back in it then moved to a new town and home over and over again. I spent three years in a girls’ home because no one wanted me. I was looked at as less of a person because I was a foster kid. Parental rights were severed but I was never adopted; I was merely unwanted.
I remember to the exact date when my sisters were taken from our home. I was left there even though abuse was evident. Within approximately 6 months my one sister came home only for the 2 of us to run away – which was the start of being in foster care. That sister and I stayed at the same foster home until she ran away, then eventually so did I. I lost contact with my sisters seeing them only a few times until I was 18 and on my own. I’ve never had the joy of living in a good home with parents who really saw me as their kid. I longed to have that too -a real mom and dad but even the ones I came to wish were my parents had denied me even that. I wish my daughter could know her past but it’s not something pretty. I struggle to this day trying to "fit" into a family with the biological family I do have but time and circumstances formed voids where memories of sisters growing up together and knowing one another should be. There are a few memories and only pain of where were from.
I was raped at 19, then found myself in the perfect relationship, until he started beating and raping me, which lasted for 2 1/2 years. I eventually married, but it was a volatile relationship that ended in divorce 3 years ago.
Dream Pathways: Describe your most memorable moment as a foster care kid.
Candice: No memorable moments except always leaving friends when I was moved.
Dream Pathways: Tell us one thing you would like to say to motivate other children and kids who are in the foster care system.
Candice: I’d tell kids keep pushing ahead and live your dreams.
Dream Pathways: How has the foster care system impacted your life?
Candice: I never had a place to call home & that sucks being 35 and a mother.
Candice has a beautiful little girl who is five now and the one constant joy in her life.
Dream Pathways: How did you hear about We Foster Hope?
Candice: I heard about you through facebook .
Dream Pathways: Can you tell us a little bit about your story?
Candice: As a child of abuse I was placed in foster care at around 9 yrs. old. I was moved from home to home to group home and so on until I aged out of the system at 18 years old. I went from abuse at home to being abused all over again in my first foster home. I ran away from there but was placed back in it then moved to a new town and home over and over again. I spent three years in a girls’ home because no one wanted me. I was looked at as less of a person because I was a foster kid. Parental rights were severed but I was never adopted; I was merely unwanted.
I remember to the exact date when my sisters were taken from our home. I was left there even though abuse was evident. Within approximately 6 months my one sister came home only for the 2 of us to run away – which was the start of being in foster care. That sister and I stayed at the same foster home until she ran away, then eventually so did I. I lost contact with my sisters seeing them only a few times until I was 18 and on my own. I’ve never had the joy of living in a good home with parents who really saw me as their kid. I longed to have that too -a real mom and dad but even the ones I came to wish were my parents had denied me even that. I wish my daughter could know her past but it’s not something pretty. I struggle to this day trying to "fit" into a family with the biological family I do have but time and circumstances formed voids where memories of sisters growing up together and knowing one another should be. There are a few memories and only pain of where were from.
I was raped at 19, then found myself in the perfect relationship, until he started beating and raping me, which lasted for 2 1/2 years. I eventually married, but it was a volatile relationship that ended in divorce 3 years ago.
Dream Pathways: Describe your most memorable moment as a foster care kid.
Candice: No memorable moments except always leaving friends when I was moved.
Dream Pathways: Tell us one thing you would like to say to motivate other children and kids who are in the foster care system.
Candice: I’d tell kids keep pushing ahead and live your dreams.
Dream Pathways: How has the foster care system impacted your life?
Candice: I never had a place to call home & that sucks being 35 and a mother.
Candice has a beautiful little girl who is five now and the one constant joy in her life.
Meet Sudaan Carter
Sudaan Carter (age 22) lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He took some time out of his day to share his story with us and here’s what he had to say.
Dream Pathways: How did you hear about We Foster HOPE™?
Sudaan: I heard about We Foster Hope on Facebook.
Dream Pathways: Tell us a little bit about your story.
Sudaan: I was in foster care for 4 years & and when I first got there, I felt safe for the first time. I felt safe because I have never really had a secure place to stay until then.
Dream Pathways: Describe your most memorable moment as a foster care kid.
Sudaan: I really don’t have one.
Dream Pathways: Tell us one thing you would like to say to motivate other children and kids who are in the foster care system.
Sudaan: Listen to your foster parents; they aren’t trying to hurt you. They are only trying to help you.
Dream Pathways: How has the foster care system impacted your life?
Sudaan: I would have to say being in foster care has encouraged me to be a better person than I used to be. It has motivated me to graduate and pursue higher education.
Dream Pathways: How did you hear about We Foster HOPE™?
Sudaan: I heard about We Foster Hope on Facebook.
Dream Pathways: Tell us a little bit about your story.
Sudaan: I was in foster care for 4 years & and when I first got there, I felt safe for the first time. I felt safe because I have never really had a secure place to stay until then.
Dream Pathways: Describe your most memorable moment as a foster care kid.
Sudaan: I really don’t have one.
Dream Pathways: Tell us one thing you would like to say to motivate other children and kids who are in the foster care system.
Sudaan: Listen to your foster parents; they aren’t trying to hurt you. They are only trying to help you.
Dream Pathways: How has the foster care system impacted your life?
Sudaan: I would have to say being in foster care has encouraged me to be a better person than I used to be. It has motivated me to graduate and pursue higher education.
