Episode 100: Wendy's Lookbook on Growing Up in Foster Care

 EPISODE 100!!!! We made it! And we are so thankful to be able to bring you an absolutely incredible interview with our friend - Wendy Nguyen, of Wendy's Lookbook! Wendy has been a fashion blogger for about 10 years now, and maybe you know her because you are one of her 1.1 million followers on Instagram. But Wendy is so very much more than a pretty face, with incredible fashion sense. Wendy found herself in foster care at the age of 15. She has been fending for herself ever since (and who am I kidding, before then too.) Wendy shares her powerful story with us - not to entertain or shock us - but to show us that grit will propel you! To foster parents: We speak to foster parents (moms especially), and those involved in the foster care system as workers, that we can, and all need to, do better. Showing up more consistently for those in need. Showing up whole heartedly for those in need. Not guarding ourselves from the pain of separation - but loving fiercely for the seasons that we are supposed to love fiercely.   To foster youth: For foster youth who may be listening - there is hope for you! You are not a victim of your circumstances! You have been dealt a bad hand - whether by your parents, or society. You are not a foster child because you did anything wrong! As Wendy says in the interview: "The system wasn't built for us (the kids)." But keep your head up, follow the rules (they are there for a reason), and chase your dreams! Go to college! Be your own boss. Be whatever you are hoping to become. You have the grit to get you there. The system is broken. Very. But let's not sit back and feel helpless. We can all work to make lives of foster youth better! We have to try very hard. But it's worth it. Very.   The Good Word of the Day "Give me a place to stand,... and I will move the world." - Archimedes Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your heart with us on this episode. We hope everyone feels moved and motivated to do hard work and make a positive impact on someone else's life. You can connect with Wendy on Instagram, or on her website, or at her store! If you are in New York, please check out Artemis. And if you are not - find them on Instagram! Thank you friends for being with us for ONE HUNDRED EPISODES! We are so thankful for you. Truly truly we are! We hope that you will check out our brand new website, to find more episodes and resources. Feel free to connect with us: Fostering Voices on Instagram Jihae on Instagram and Chris on Facebook Fostering Voices on YouTube (you can find this interview on YouTube!)  You can also email us at [email protected] AND we would LOVE it if you would SUBSCRIBE and leave us a review on iTunes! (If you don't know how to do that, watch this quick little video!) This helps others to find our podcast so we can share these voices from the foster care and adoption community with more people!