From left to right: Tionna Reed, Jalen Grants, Donna Reed, Alana Scott, Zion Newton, and Joshua Sutherland enjoying themselves at an impromptu backyard get-together.
Photo by Malik Reed/TNCPNEWS
CHARLOTTE, NC – Donna Lee Reed made eye contact with the young people who streamed into the living room from outside, where they gathered on the back patio of her home. While listening intently to all of the voices, she chimed in when needed and nodded in agreement amid excited chatter. The “Share the Love” Old School Family Cookout scheduled for that weekend was postponed due to the weather, but the young people showed up to her house in droves anyway. “Grandma,” as Reed is affectionately known, is an open book about her challenges and triumphs in life. She is also passionate about giving young people opportunities to succeed.
Reed wants young people to know that she prays for them daily. She said that teenage years and young adulthood are the most important times for an individual’s success and future. Reed is the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Home4Me, “A Voice for Teens in Foster Care.”
“By ages thirteen through fifteen, young people in foster care know they are probably not going to be adopted. At sixteen, the weight of the world begins to bear down as they must start making decisions about their lives post-foster care. It doesn’t matter if you live in North Carolina or Michigan; it is the same for all foster children,” lamented Reed.
While chatting about college, photography, and graphic design, a family friend, Valerie Smith, ensured all the plates and cups were full. The laughter that filled the room was contagious and comforting. Reed made everyone feel like a part of the family, related or not. The young people also spoke comfortably about their college education and career goals. Reed said that is something she is accustomed to.
The organization provides Hope, Opportunities, Mentoring, Education (HOME), and a sense of family for teens aging out of foster care. Those who have aged out and are attending college have been given a lifeline.
One of their programs is “LEG up on LIFE.” It is a virtual program designed to be engaging, entertaining, and educational, targeting teens, college students, and foster alumni who aspire to succeed. The program aims to help participants develop their skills and talents and create a personalized roadmap to achieve their goals.
By registering for this program, participants will have the opportunity to discover their potential, gain valuable skills, and receive guidance on navigating their path to success. Reed knows this program helps prepare foster youth for the future.
Early Life
Reed was left in the hospital at birth and ultimately in an orphanage until her parents fell in love with her. They changed her life and provided a safe home for her and opportunities. When she turned 18, she moved a thousand miles away from home. Reed said, “I discovered I was not ready for the world I was now all alone in. Married at 18, thinking that was a safety net, I ended up escaping the abusive marriage with 3 babies at the age of 22. Determined not to be a statistic and learning from my opportunities growing up kept me on a path to a successful life despite my circumstances.”
Foster Care
According to the Child Welfare and Foster Care Statistics information compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Michigan’s foster care system rates have fluctuated in recent years. As of September 30, 2021, there were 9,529 children in foster care, which indicates a challenging situation but also reflects ongoing efforts to manage and support these children. Nationally, the foster care system has experienced a slight decline in numbers during the pandemic, with the total number of children in foster care decreasing from 426,566 in 2020 to 407,493 in 2021.
This trend was observed across several states, including Michigan, although the entry rate for foster care in Michigan remained significant at 1.8 per 1,000 children.
The study also mentioned that efforts to reduce the number of children entering foster care and improve the system’s efficiency continue, but the impact of the pandemic has created both challenges and opportunities for reform. Initiatives to increase placements with relatives and decrease reliance on group homes have shown some success, with placements with relatives rising from 25% to 35% between 2000 and 2021.
Aging Out and Higher Education
May is Foster Care Awareness Month, an observance especially significant to Livingstone College’s 13th president, Dr. Anthony J. Davis. A survivor of the foster care system, Dr. Davis emancipated himself at 17 and joined the United States Air Force.
Born to a teenage mother of 14, Dr. Davis faced hardship from the start. On the day of his birth, his grandmother, who was supposed to be his caregiver, passed away, leading both him and his mother to become wards of the state of Connecticut. His foster care mother, initially reluctant to take in another child, agreed to keep him for a weekend. She later said that divine intervention guided her decision to keep him permanently. She raised Davis with a focus on intellectual pursuits, though he humorously notes he still has a mean jump shot.
Dr. Davis remained in foster care until 90 days before aging out. At 24, he was reunited with his biological mother, who passed away last year. His story is remarkable, given that less than 1 percent of children in foster care graduate from college, and even fewer become presidents of higher education institutions.
Under his administration at Livingstone College, Dr. Davis aims to address the foster care crisis in America. On Monday, May 1, 2023, the first day of Foster Care Awareness Month, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Home4Me, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope, opportunities, mentoring, and education for teens in foster care. The historic partnership cemented the commitment to address the college graduation statistics for foster youth.
Reed said, “Please take time to learn what happens to teens that age out of foster care on their 18th birthday and, most importantly, how your support can change the outcome of their future! Every foster teen deserves to say there is a Home4Me and an opportunity to attend the college of their choice and succeed in life. You can be that difference!”
Do you know a teenager, or are you a teenager, who is emancipating from the foster care system and is interested in going to college? If so, contact Home4Me or Livingstone College.
Home4Me:
Website: www.home4me.org
Email: info@home4me.org
Phone: 704-567-5118
Livingston College:
Anthony M. Brooks, MBA
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Website: www.livingstone.edu
Email: abrooks@livingstone.edu
Phone: 704-216-6005 or 704-216-6001
Left to Right:
Malik Reed could not resist taking a selfie.
Tionna Reed spoke about her journaling process and her plans to one day write a column about her daily experiences.
Jalen Grants was thinking about what he was going to eat after dinner – cookies, of course!
Joshua Sutherland enjoys visiting Donna Reed on the back deck.
Left to Right Second Row:
Valerie Smith provided additional laughter and hospitality.
Zion Newton and Andree Fryar conversing about college.
Photos by Malik Reed /TNCPNEWS
Publisher’s Note: Donna Lee Reed, Charlotte, North Carolina was named Top 5 Remarkable Women 2024 (Nexstar Media Group, Inc.) out of 10,000 women in the United States. Donna is a motivational speaker and author whose passion is contagious; her creativity to reach foster youth is nonstop, and her hands-on impact is amazing. Donna is determined to be a voice for teens aging out of foster care, what the young people face while in the system, and what happens when they age out. She is the person to contact to understand how we all can know and be involved with making a difference in their lives. As the founder of Home4Me, Reed’s philosophy is Together We Win (College, Community, Corporate & Church) together we can provide everything our young people need!
Reed’s grandson, Malik Reed, is the photographer for this article.
The New Citizens Press will be covering Remarkable Women stories from all over the country.
