In this episode, Tyrone Flowers sits down with us and shares his story of growing up. Tyrone’s early life was full of hardship as he entered foster care at the age of seven and was moved between four different foster care placements in his early years. In high school, Tyrone repeatedly heard the message that he would fail in life and end up dead or in jail. He discusses with us the impact those words had on his life and how he wants to alter those messages for youth today. Another tragedy struck Tyrone later in life. Listen how he shares how he lived through that tragedy and learned about forgiveness. From Tyrone’s story, we can gain tremendous insight into foster care and living life with hope.
Then, we are joined by seven different guests. Inspired by Tyrone’s belief that we can all be a piece in the puzzle of a foster child’s life, we will listen to seven different individuals who each play a different role in the foster care journey. As they share, consider which role you may identify with and which piece of the puzzle you may be!
Download the free companion PDF to this series—“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”–and share these types of insights with others in your community!
Key Quote
“Sometimes we got to keep in mind that we are just in the significant pieces to the puzzle of life. Sometimes you may be significant and that beginning of that child’s life to where they really need you, but whatever you have to offer, give that to them.”- Tryone Flowers
Learn More
Here are the resources and/or organizations mentioned in this episode:
Tyrone’s Organization: http://www.highermpact.org
Johnston Moore: www.home-4-ever.org
Melissa Blum: https://cafo.org/foster-care-15-2/
Rhonda Littleton: http://www.ahomeforme.sc
Michelle Douglas: https://thecallinarkansas.org
Elizabeth Occhipinti: https://www.miriamsheart.org
Kevin Enders: https://www.4kids.us/home
Shelly Radic: https://www.project127.com
Free Download: Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There
Meet Our Guests
TYRONE FLOWERS
Flowers is the founder and president of Higher M-Pact. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in psychology, and went on to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate. While attending law school, he received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award. Formerly known as SERVANT programs, Higher M-Pact was founded in 1993, incorporated in 1998 and formally launched full-time in 2003. Flowers lives in Kansas City MO.
Special thanks to our Guests:
Johnston Moore: Executive Director of Home Forever
Melissa Blum: CAFO Foster Movement National Prayer Coordinator
Rhonda Littleton: Executive Director of A Home For Me
Michelle Douglas: Program Director at The CALL
Elizabeth Occhipinti: Co-Founder and President of Miriam’s Heart
Kevin Enders: President of 4KIDS of South Florida
Shelly Radic: President of Project 1.27
Meet Our Hosts
JASON WEBER
Jason and his wife, Trisha, have been caring for children from U.S. foster care since 2001 and have had the privilege of adopting their five children from foster care. Jason has helped to produce and write several books, bible studies, and other tools all created to serve churches as they care for hurting kids including the newly released children’s book, Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn (BroadStreet Publishing). Jason writes a regular column for Fostering Families Today magazine and is the host of the Foster Movement Podcast, which highlights the stories of former foster youth and national foster care advocates. Jason serves as the National Director of More Than Enough for the Christian Alliance for Orphans and currently lives in Plano, Texas.
DIEGO FULLER
Most teenagers remember the day they got their license, or their sweet 16, or even prom night. For Diego the most prominent day he remembers is In 2002, when he showed up on Bishop Aaron Blake’s steps. Blake stopped Diego at the door and told him to lose any foster care mentality that he has. “You are not a foster child; you are ‘Engrafted’ into my family.” Diego, now a national recording artist, released his second studio album titled “ENGRAFTED” in 2014! Diego is the founder & president of B.I.G Records & Foundation. He and his “Pops,” Bishop Aaron Blake have joined forces and travel the country empowering the local church to create a culture of families prepared to accept the calling of orphan care. Diego lives with his family in the Dallas area.
