Marti
Fostering Success and Significance (FSS) has incredible advocates who come alongside our students. We recently were able to sit down with advocate Marti Adams to ask her a few questions about her experience.
“Marti, what has your experience been as an FSS advocate?”
Marti: “As an advocate you wear a lot of different hats. You are a mentor on a whole spectrum of life experiences -- roommate issues, financial decisions, academics, interpersonal struggles and steps after college. I advise them the same way I advise my own children and try my best to help them avoid making mistakes in life. My whole purpose is to help them achieve their goals and set them on a course to make their dreams come true.”
How often do you meet/talk with your students?
Marti: “About once or twice a month. I would get together with them, one on one, and take them out to lunch. I had weekly “touch base” texts and always let them know that they could always text or call me whenever they needed anything. I even invited them over for holidays, that way they had someone to spend these special days with.”
What has been the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
Marti: “The most rewarding aspect is that once they graduate they are still in my life. I try to keep in touch with them and continue to help them with career advice and making connections with people who can help them in their career path. I have attended so many of my students’ graduations and have celebrated together when they get their first job. Those are some of the most cherished events in my life. Being able to help them have stability in their lives, staying connected to them, and seeing them succeed is the highlight of being a mentor.”
What has being an Advocate taught you about the former foster youth?
Marti: “It has made me aware of flaws in the foster care system that deeply affect these students, but in spite of their struggles, they are some of the most resilient people I’ve ever met. It’s really astounding to see them succeed in college in spite of the challenges they faced growing up. Above all, they’re really good kids. They’re appreciative, compassionate and determined -- all traits that will help them succeed in life.”
FSS has been blessed with having Marti Adams as an advocate for several years. In addition to being the CFO of ActFast and a mother to 2 young adults, half a dozen FSS students have been beneficiaries of Marti’s time and passion. For more information on our advocate program, please visit our advocate information page.