Missy
“I am here to tell them, you can do this”
Missy has been an amazing Advocate for over 8 years. She subscribes to the philosophy of “showing up.” She says, “the most important 95% of life is showing up and being available for someone else. The most valuable thing we have in life is our time. Time to listen, time to become a friend and time to make a difference.” She has found this purpose in becoming an Advocate.
Before her involvement with FSS, Missy worked in the CASA program, so she knows firsthand of the difficulties foster youth face in their childhood. She worked with a 7-year old girl who had been put in foster care and was moved from one foster home to another. Missy observed how this young child was very resourceful and learned how to fend for herself in this these environments. “They don’t get the nurturing and training they need to become successful adults,” Missy says, “many of them never see college in their future.”
Her relationships with her FSS students doesn’t look like a typical monthly check in. It’s more organic. She checks in frequently and meets with students on their time. She once met with one of her students for lunch. “I look up and she had already devoured her meal. She lacked proper table manners,” Missy says. As a result, FSS incorporated an etiquette program that teaches manners. This is just one example of many of the ways Missy has been a valuable part of the FSS team.
If you are thinking about becoming an Advocate, Missy would tell you that not only does FSS makes a huge difference for the students, it makes a huge impact on YOU! “It’s an honor to motivate others to be the best version of themselves. It puts your life into perspective,” she says.