openPR Logo
Press release

As National Foster Care Month Approaches, Author Reflects on Turbulent Childhood Navigating Foster Care System, Encourages Change

04-13-2016 07:57 AM CET | Arts & Culture

Press release from: Shenandoah Chefalo

As National Foster Care Month Approaches, Author Reflects

Imagine a desolate childhood with drug and alcohol addicted parents, numerous moves in the middle of the night with just minutes to pack, multiple changes in schools, hunger, cruelty and loneliness. This was Shenandoah Chefalo’s life, and for the first time, she is sharing her personal story in “Garbage Bag Suitcase” (Mission Point Press), a memoir that reflects on her turbulent journey through foster care and bravely presents grass-root solutions on how to revamp the broken system.

Chefalo asked to be put into foster care after being abandoned at her grandmother’s retirement community by her drug-addicted mother at the age of 13. She dreamed about a stable home with foster parents who loved and cared for her and was sure it would be better than her current situation. Unfortunately, her new family was more interested in the income they received by housing a foster child than actually caring for her.
Chefalo’s dreams for a stable childhood were shattered: the money she earned working at the local grocery store was taken by her foster parents to “cover her expenses.” When she was in the hospital for three weeks due to serious injuries from a car accident, no one came to visit her. She realized she was more alone than ever before.

Despite her heartbreaking circumstances, Chefalo overcame adversities and became part of 3% of all foster care children who get into college, and the 1% who graduate. Despite becoming a successful businesswoman and having a daughter of her own, she still suffers the long-term effects of her neglectful childhood. In “Garbage Bag Suitcase,” she shares her story in hope of spurring immediate change that needs to take place within the system, and what we can all do to help these children.

Shenandoah Chefalo is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a major in interdisciplinary studies in social science, a Core Essentials Graduate from Coach U, a Certified Law of Attraction Advanced Practitioner and a member of the Foster Leaders Movement. She is a sought after speaker on topics surrounding youth in foster care.

JKS Communications
Angelle Barbazon
2819 Vault Lane
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 928-2462

This release was published on openPR.

Permanent link to this press release:

Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.

You can edit or delete your press release As National Foster Care Month Approaches, Author Reflects on Turbulent Childhood Navigating Foster Care System, Encourages Change here

News-ID: 332005 • Views:

More Releases for Foster

Headphone Market Trending Worldwide | Foster, CRESYN, Gerotek, Fujikon
HTF MI released a new market study on Global Headphone Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. At present, the market is developing its presence. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, attentive opinions, facts, and industry validated market data. The research study provides estimates for
Anatomic Pathology Market Foster the Growth over 2025
Global Anatomic Pathology Market: Overview Anatomic pathology finds application in diagnosis of different types of chronic diseases, namely cancer and infectious diseases. It is also used in pharmaceutical industries to carry out toxicology studies. It is a medical specialty that diagnoses a disease based on microscopic, macroscopic, biochemical, immunologic, and molecular scrutiny of organs and tissues. Driving growth in the global anatomic pathology market is the rising elderly population, increasing
Foster Children Receive Special Gifts for the Holidays
EAC Network’s foster children each received a duffel bag filled with essential items for the holidays from Love Law Firm, PLLC and Stony Brook University’s Student Nurses’ Association. Children in foster care have few belongings and often carry what little they possess in garbage bags. EAC Network sees the heartbreaking circumstances of these children in our Chance to Advance and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs, which reduce risk factors
Stacie Foster Joins Archer as Marketing Assistant
Archer Communications, Inc., an integrated marketing communications firm located in Rochester, NY, is excited to announce that Stacie Foster has joined the team as marketing assistant. In her new role, Stacie will assist the account management team with a variety of initiatives, including social media, public relations, media planning, research, and administrative duties. “We are excited to welcome Stacie aboard,” says Jeff Lennox, President of Archer Communications, Inc. “Her
Neighbor’s Curiosity Leads to Helping Foster Care Children
(PASADENA, CA) - With no intention of becoming a full-fledged Hillsides board member, Mark Mertens’ curiosity of Hillsides’ 17-acre campus, which is just below his home, left him with an urge to give back to his community. His natural curiosity has resulted in Hillsides, a foster care children’s charity, honoring him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Mertens, owner of an apparel company, began his Hillsides’ philanthropic activities by contacting the director
Disney VoluntEARS Present Murals to Foster Care Charity
(PASADENA, CA) – Inspired by the legendary Disney characters and a desire to give back to the community, Walt Disney Company representatives dedicated two murals to Hillsides, a foster care children’s charity in Pasadena. Afterwards, they toured the campus and participated in craft activities with the foster care children living on the charity’s 17-acre campus. Walt Disney Company Senior Vice President of Human Resources Jeffrey Rosen presented the murals to