Foster teens are adolescents placed in the foster care system for various reasons, often because they cannot live with their biological families. These teens may have experienced trauma, neglect, abuse, or instability in their home environments. As a result, they often face complex emotional and psychological challenges. Foster teens come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic situations, yet they share the same experience of being removed from a family unit and placed into care with foster parents or in group homes. Many foster teens struggle with feelings of abandonment, identity, and belonging. They may have difficulty forming trust with adults due to past experiences, but they often have hopes and dreams for the future, like any other adolescent. Shifting Gears aims to provide them with extra support to foster a sense of belonging and normalcy - crucial for their well-being.
Aging out of foster care without a permanent, "forever" family is a significant and often difficult experience for many teens. In Maryland, when a young person turns age 21, they "age out" of the foster care system - meaning they no longer have legal guardianship of the state or support from foster parents. This transition can be especially challenging for those who have not been able to establish permanent, lifelong connections with a family. These difficulties can include emotional and psychological struggles, lack of support systems, educational and career challenges, housing instability, poor social skills and self-advocacy.
These young people have a higher risk of negative outcomes, such as homelessness, involvement in the criminal justice system, and pregnancy ... all of which they are not ready. Despite these challenges, young people aging out of foster care can manage to overcome adversity with the right resources and support systems in place. Programs that offer life skills training, mentorship, housing assistance, and mental health services can make a significant difference in helping foster youth transition into independent adulthood with a stronger sense of stability and hope. Shifting Gears aims to provide these programs.
Diana Liberto Grove and Nicole Blanchard, co-founders of Shifting Gears, became friends after they met at an event for foster families in Harford County, Maryland. Their friendship blossomed as they learned how to parent their foster daughters through trauma-informed parenting, navigate the system, and support each other through the journey - which, at times, can be very lonely. The duo quickly learned teenagers in care are often overlooked; and once they turn 21 years of age, they are expected to be sent off on their own, with little to no support. Diana and Nicole had a desire to help teenagers while they are a part of the system ... and then to help them shift gears as they break apart from the system, yet still needing help.
*Stats from casey.org and fostercarecapacity.com
As a fresh new organization, we are certainly speeding right along as we shift gears into spring! We have celebrated some of our foster teens' bodacious birthdays, went pretty prom dress shopping with some of our seniors; delivered pots & pans and bedding & yarn and other needed household items to foster teens living in the cottages at the group...
On Thursday, 2/13, the youth we support were treated to a Galentine's Day dinner. The food was delicious and the staff was amazing. The girls got dressed up and enjoyed a full four course meal; appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert! Thank you to the staff and owners for such a special night!
Birthdays are great time to celebrate YOU! We strive to make sure every teen we serve feels special on their birthday. Each girl gets a birthday gift and a birthday party box. Raise the Barre Company Dance Team donated 20 Birthday Party Boxes for us to distribute. Each box included a birthday card, cake mix, sprite, icing, candles, plates,...
In January 2025, we started a Book Club. We held our first meeting after we read the title, One of Us is Lying, by Karen McManus. Seven foster youth participated as we enjoyed discussing the book, among many other topics. Books were provided complimentary for each youth. We look forward to next month's reading!