Separation from family. Living with strangers. People asking questions. New schools. Court systems. Stigma. Grief. Uncertainty.
These are just some of foster care's impacts. And they don’t stop once the young person transitions out; many adults who grew up in foster care say it still affects their lives daily.
For the half a million kids currently in foster care, holidays can be especially difficult. Friends celebrate with family, while their own holiday seasons are often marked by unfamiliar faces, temporary homes, and loneliness. But through FosterClub’s community and support, they find something invaluable: connection, understanding, and the opportunity to give back.
Nia’s Story: Finding Comfort and Connection
For Nia Pitts (age 21, 13 years in New York and Pennsylvania’s foster care systems), foster care was a long, challenging journey. Beginning when she was just five years old, Nia moved through ten different placements, facing uncertainty and isolation that grew especially painful during the holidays.
“As a foster child, nobody calls you on the holidays to come see them,” Nia shared. “They all expect you to reach out to them. You want someone to make you feel at home, so on holidays I’ve really felt alone a lot of times.”
But in FosterClub, Nia found something she longed for—people who understood her. “You’re meeting people with not exactly the same story, but they’ve had the same trauma as you in a way. So I feel that it’s a very comfortable place to be,” Nia explained.
Being part of FosterClub has also given Nia the chance to create positive memories and connections that help ease the weight of difficult past experiences. “It’s really wonderful in a way,” she said. “The people are really genuine—just being around people like me with that experience, knowing that you guys chose people with the experience to do the work.”
FosterClub’s “Magic Sauce”: Lived Experience (LEx) Leadership
Nia is a FosterClub Lived Experience Leader, or LEx Leader. LEx Leadership is at the heart of FosterClub’s programs, which means all of our work—whether it’s building community, advocating for policy change, or providing critical resources to young people in foster care—is driven by people who have lived through the system. By engaging youth with firsthand experience, FosterClub offers opportunities to create the kind of childhood experiences every child deserves—where they’re supported, understood, and never alone.
Devan’s Journey from Foster Youth to LEx Leader
Devan Burnett (age 19, 4 years in Oregon’s foster care system) was 17 when he attended his first FosterClub conference, joining other foster youth from across his state. For Devan, meeting others with shared experiences was life-changing. The support he received from LEx Leaders ignited his desire to give back.
“The huge experience of meeting people who have shared experiences…that connection was something so life changing for me,” Devan shared. Seeing LEx Leaders supporting and guiding others, he realized he wanted to help young people going through similar challenges.
This past summer, Devan transitioned from participant to LEx Leader himself, embracing the opportunity to empower others. “Those peer supports, they can lead to friendships and relationships that give you mindsets, feelings, and perspectives you wouldn't have gotten anywhere else,” he reflected. “Nothing else will help like those peer supports.”
Devan now brings hope and guidance to young people navigating the foster care system, embodying the community of connection that FosterClub strives to create. His journey is one of strength and inspiration—a story of finding purpose and healing through helping others.
Your Impact: Bringing Magic to the Holidays and Beyond
For the half a million children currently in foster care, the holiday season can be a painful reminder of what they’re missing. But your support can help bring a sense of belonging, comfort, and joy to kids who need it most. Through FosterClub, your gift makes a real difference—not only during the holiday season but all year long.
With a donation of any amount, you can help young people find community and connection, receive the support they need, and begin to build brighter futures. Your support helps kids like Devan and Nia make it through challenging seasons and find hope in a community that cares.
Join us in making the holidays magical for children in foster care. With your help, FosterClub can continue to create life-changing connections for young people in foster care, giving them the gift of belonging and support when they need it most.
Thank you for being a part of this vital mission. Together, we’re helping to build brighter futures—one young person at a time.
