My Side of the Street: A Memoir of a Young Girl's Journey through the American Foster Care System

My Side of the Street is a memoir by Tanisha C. Ford that chronicles her experiences in the foster care system. Ford was placed in foster care at the age of 12 after her mother was incarcerated. She spent the next six years in foster homes and group homes, before finally aging out of the system at 18.

My Side of The Street

by Stephen Cope

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	279 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	339 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In My Side of the Street, Ford shares her story with honesty and candor. She writes about the challenges she faced in foster care, including abuse, neglect, and racism. She also writes about the resilience she developed during her time in care, and the hope she found in the people who cared for her.

My Side of the Street is a powerful and moving memoir that sheds light on the foster care system in America. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the experiences of children in care, and for anyone who is interested in social justice.

The Foster Care System in America

The foster care system in America is a complex and often-troubled system. There are over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States, and the vast majority of them are children of color. Children in foster care have often experienced trauma and abuse, and they are at risk for a variety of problems, including mental health issues, substance abuse, and homelessness.

The goal of the foster care system is to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment where they can heal and grow. However, the system is often underfunded and understaffed, and many children do not receive the care they need.

There are a number of challenges facing the foster care system in America. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of funding. The federal government spends about $5 billion on foster care each year, but this is only a fraction of what is needed. As a result, many states are forced to cut corners, which can lead to poor quality care for children.

Another challenge facing the foster care system is the lack of qualified foster parents. There are not enough foster parents available to meet the needs of all the children in care. This means that many children are placed in group homes or institutions, which are often not as nurturing as foster homes.

The foster care system is also facing a crisis of racism. Children of color are disproportionately represented in foster care, and they are more likely to experience abuse and neglect than white children. This is due to a number of factors, including poverty, discrimination, and the legacy of slavery.

Tanisha C. Ford's Story

Tanisha C. Ford was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her mother was a single parent who worked two jobs to support her family. When Ford was 12 years old, her mother was incarcerated for drug possession. Ford was placed in foster care, and she spent the next six years in foster homes and group homes.

Ford experienced a range of challenges in foster care. She was abused by one of her foster parents, and she was neglected by another. She was also the victim of racism from some of her foster parents and social workers.

Despite the challenges she faced, Ford developed a strong sense of resilience. She found hope in the people who cared for her, including her social worker, her therapist, and her foster parents. She also found hope in her own creativity. She wrote poetry and music, and she found solace in her art.

At the age of 18, Ford aged out of the foster care system. She went on to college, and she eventually earned a master's degree in social work. She now works as a social worker, and she is an advocate for children in foster care.

My Side of the Street: A Memoir of a Young Girl's Journey through the American Foster Care System

My Side of the Street is a memoir of Tanisha C. Ford's experiences in the foster care system. Ford writes with honesty and candor about the challenges she faced, but she also writes about the resilience she developed and the hope she found.

My Side of the Street is a powerful and moving memoir that sheds light on the foster care system in America. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the experiences of children in care, and for anyone who is interested in social justice.

About the Author

Tanisha C. Ford is a social worker and advocate for children in foster care. She is the author of the memoir My Side of the Street. Ford has been featured in a number of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is a passionate advocate for children in foster care, and she is committed to raising awareness about the challenges they face.

My Side of The Street

by Stephen Cope

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	279 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	339 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE