Defining Freedom From Foster Care

Several years ago, the phrase “Freedom From Foster Care” settled in my heart and mind one day while talking about my experience in the foster care system. At that moment, I knew I wanted to keep those words. At that moment, I also knew I wanted to start a nonprofit organization related to the foster care system, but I wasn’t quite sure what it would be yet. When Freedom From Foster Care came to me, I felt like it captured everything I had ever felt about the foster care system while I was in, and when I had gotten out of foster care. In essence, Freedom From Foster Care captured the joy I felt being released from the foster care system and finally being able to live a life - My Life - I controlled.

Freedom From Foster Care means being free to make decisions for myself and being free to have a say in my own life. When I was in the foster care system, I didn’t have any control over anything including where I slept, what school I went to, who I could talk to, and sometimes even what I wore and what I ate. I remember living in the children’s shelter and feeling so valued as a person when I could ask the person cooking to make a sandwich out of my eggs, bacon, and toast, which would otherwise be served separately on a plate because that’s how it had to be made per the prescriptive menu that didn’t allow for change, and them actually doing it. However, also while I lived in the shelter, I couldn’t just go get milk out of the refrigerator when I wanted some, like I could at home, and that was one of those things I quickly began to realize was a luxury and something I took for granted being at home.

Freedom From Foster Care means I never have to be in the foster care system again. Foster care was a place and situation in my past, but it will never be a destination in my future. Not only will the foster care system never be a destination in my future, it will also be something my children will never have to worry about. Freedom From Foster Care means I don’t ever have to look back or experience being in the foster care system ever again.

Freedom From Foster Care means I can finally be who I want to be without having to ask permission from a foster parent, a case worker, a case manager, a state senator, and the governor. Freedom From Foster Care means I can be Lakievia without providing my fingerprints, a body scan, a headshot, and a list of known acquaintances just in case I decide to run away. Freedom From Foster Care means no more of those security clearance checks, or the unnecessary stress that comes with them that I had to endure, so those people - whom I could never reach with one phone call - can make themselves believe they’re doing a good job by adhering to the responsibilities in their job descriptions.

Freedom From Foster Care means hope for my future. No longer is the word emancipation the only word I know that is used for both foster care and slavery because, now, I have illuminated and purchased the word FREEDOM. Literally! As of February 3rd, 2026, Freedom From Foster Care is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a service mark. I don’t want to be emancipated from foster care: I want to be free from foster care, and I want others to be free from foster care, too.

About Freedom From Foster Care A Nonprofit Organization

Freedom From Foster Care A Nonprofit Organization’s mission is to end generational foster care because we believe foster care survivors should have the skills to be the best parents. To help foster care survivors prevent generational foster care by not losing their children to the foster care system, we provide parental support and encouragement, as well as parental rights advocacy and training to parenting foster care survivors. We also provide strategic leadership to influence, promote, and support the implementation and development of environments, programs, and policies designed to create thriving futures for foster care survivors and their children.