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an online community for foster children?

I myself went through 14 terrible foster homes growing up and was dumped with nothing by the state when I turned 18. I plan to spend 6 years of college to obtain my masters degree in psychology and sociology to become a social worker and change as much as I can in the system. I have alot of plans and programs already planned out that I would like to make real one day. I am very passionate about this and just realized that I would like to open a website strictly for former and present foster/adoption children. I would like to have an online community to discuss issues and connect with other ppl going through the same issues. Have listings to help get financial aid for school, free medical, food stamps, a listing of homeless shelters and food banks, places to get cheap clothing, job listings in the area, information on how to obtain birth certficates, ss cards, ect. info on how to obtain your personal file, and how to go about looking for birth families if desired. i am experience with all of these things and plan to list alot of useful websites and opportunities that other kids might know about. Now my question is would anyone visit this site? Does anyone think that this would be a useful site? I plan for it to be a free site and would come out of my personal pocket every month... p.s. feel free to email me if you would like to help me accomplish this or have ideas

Public Comments

1. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I think that website is a FABULOUS idea, and will be useful to many, many foster children. I don't have too much free time to help you, but if you need any little graphics or anything done for your website, I'd be glad to help. Email me @ emaildefaultuse1@yahoo.com (I know, weird name...but I do check it.)
2. I think it's a great idea. I wonder how big it would be, local or for the US? I have never been in the foster system, but I'm planning to adopt from the system. My heart goes out to the children that age out and are left with no one. I am in Mississippi and I would love to help, if there's a way I can be involved, let me know. Something that could be distributed to high schools would be excellent. It could reach the children in time to get some training before they are set out in the world...
3. That is an excellent idea! I think a community set up as a site with forums where people could ask and answer questions, give each other support and just get together with others in similar situations would be so good for children who are in foster care and people who were in foster care. Articles on how to get by with links to resources or further information would be useful too. Yes, I think people would visit such a site, no question. If it turns up on a search engine, some people looking for it will find it that way, but it could also be promoted by word of mouth through foster parent and adoption support group forums. Perhaps letting state and provincial agencies know about your site will also bring visitors, although they might not choose to inform kids of this resource because of safety concerns. But yeah, it's a wonderful idea! I'm not in foster care btw; I live with my brother who took care of me after my mom died. But I'd be happy to be of help if I can :)
4. Yes!!!
5. http://www.fostercarealumni.org/ could be what you're looking for.
6. That is a great idea, I would extend that idea to people who live in abusive homes as well. They more than likely won't get the information on how to set out on life except for a kick in the ass when they leave. That's wonderful. I too plan to get into psychology and help children and people. It makes me tear up when I hear peoples stories...I'm sorry you went through that but you obviously turned out wonderful, and did exactly what was meant for you to do, go and change that f*ucked up system. Hoorah and people will definatly use that site. Oh, also. Post it on facebook. see if you can get it posted on the news when you get the site done. Banners, posters, ads at stores, restaurants....also, go to social services, see if you can get this website handed to the foster children directly....