“Mixed Diaspora" and finding a sense of belonging

Fitting in, being yourself, belonging… no matter what you call it, it’s hard to not feel like an outsider when you’re in foster care. Add to that Alexis’ experience being multiracial and coming from a background not often associated with the foster care system, and there’s a lot to navigate as a young person. Kat and Alexis talk about how they have found a sense of belonging throughout various parts of their lives. 

Guest: Alexis (she/her), former foster youth, RHEP Youth Advisory Board member

Content Warning: This episode touches on topics that may be upsetting or triggering for some listeners, including abuse, neglect, racism, and past trauma. This warning is to empower listeners with the knowledge you need to make healthy decisions about how and if you should consume this podcast content. Don’t hesitate to use the resources listed in the show notes if you need support.

Resources: 

• Chafee Grant: “If you are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18, as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation, and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.” (https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/)

About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life:

Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.

Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.

Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California.

Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught.

Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org

Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org.