I turned around to see a masked man pointing a gun at me. It was just the beginning of a series of events, including robbery and abduction, which changed my life forever. I Need Blue, hosted by Jen Lee, is a podcast series featuring lived-experiences from survivors of life events. I NEED BLUE creates space for survivors of trauma to feel they BELONG, are LOVED, UNDERSTOOD and EMPOWERED! I called 9-1-1 and they provided me with life-saving directions to help my customer who was having a medical emergency. Law enforcement rescued us and caught the robber. Our first-responders face unique traumas every day. I NEED BLUE provides space for them too!
https://ineedblue.net/
episode 10: S2 E10 Jaci-Former Foster Care Youth Shares Her Unforgettable Story /Jayne, Podcast Host & CASA, Shares Her Experiences
Today’s episode speaks on behalf of those children who search for their forever home, who have been removed from their familiar environment for one reason or another and placed into a different permanent or temporary family environment. The hope is always that the new home is a better fit for raising that child. However, situations exist where the child is put in more danger. I never thought about the foster care system until now. After this episode, I wont forget!
I would like to welcome Jaci Cortez. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She was in foster care from ages of 4-21. Her mom was an immigrant from Guatemala. She was arrested for being in, as they say, the wrong place at the wrong time. Jaci was born here, and not allowed to leave with my mom. She was 4 years old when they arrested her mom and decided to deport her. Her grandma didn't have papers either and was afraid she would get deported so Jaci's only option was to be placed into foster care. Shortly after, an aunt decided to pick her up and it changed Jaci's life forever... and not exactly in a good way!
At one point, Jaci was broken from the abuse she endured for years. You will hear how her strong faith in God, resilience, and bravery lead her to the place she is today. In her words, "if they've ever been hurt or abused or anything negative, never give up. Nothing lasts forever."
My second guest, Jayne Amelia Larson, is a volunteer for CASA of Los Angeles, CA. She has a podcast, Bonus Babies, where you can find several episodes like the one you will hear today. It wasn't until Jayne became a CASA that she understood foster kids are superheroes. They are amazingly adaptable, resourceful, resilient, and the fact that some of them make it through a terrible system, is simply because they are amazing. They are superheroes. What inspired you to become a CASA? What are the duties and responsibilities? How has it changed your life? Jayne answers these questions and many more!
To check out more stories visit, www.ineedblue.net
To hear bonus babies visit, www.bonusbabies.com
To learn more about Sunflower Foster Youth Investment's Visit: Sunflower Foster Youth Investment
Peace4Kids, https://www.peace4kids.org/ which serves the foster care community in the Willowbrook area of Los Angeles.
For more information about becoming a CASA: the https://nationalcasagal.org/
The background music is written, performed and produced exclusively by purple-planet.com.
https://www.purple-planet.com/
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ineedbluepodcast/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1q8SfA_hEXRJ4EaizlW8Q
Website: https://ineedblue.net/
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