Reading the posts here from PIM girls warms my heart. Listening to them and learning about them through their words has given new meaning to Power in the Middle. I remember being 13, 14, 15 years old and feeling like I was an outcast. Not pretty enough, not witty enough, too shy and insecure for the popular crowd, I tried everything to fit it. Of course nothing worked because I tried too hard and I wasn't just me. These girls, my age then, are learning to just be themselves. They are loving young ladies who take one day at a time the best they can, no matter what happened yesterday and not knowing what tomorrow will bring. I wish I knew then what I know now - there's no secret - just put one foot in front of the other, every single day.

Living to Inspire

As a former foster child in the foster care system and now a social worker, I can relate to the children that I service within the agency I work for, more than the average individual who works in the same field. I understand what it is like to live in a home where I have to get to know someone who I was not familiar with. Being apprehensive at first living in a strangers home, I always wondered if they genuinely cared for me. As time went on, I learned that some foster parents sincerely cared and some was just there for the money. Aside from dealing with foster parents, there were caseworkers after caseworkers and it was a hard for me to develop a relationship with anyone because they were changing too often. The other issue was being able to trust the workers because everything you say was held against you, which was the way I viewed it at the time. However, there were some who of had an open mind about who I am as an individual.

As a social worker working in the system with experience dating back to high school, I learned and begun to understand things I did not understand when I was in system. One of the major things I first learned was that is such a high turnover rate of case workers within the field of social work. The reason I got involved in working in the system at such a young age is I wanted to learn what the system was like from the inside. So when I was in high school and an opportunity became available to me as an intern, I jumped on it. I wanted to find a way where I could make a difference in families lives, especially teens.  I wanted to find a way to encourage, motivate, and inspire those who I came in contact with. As my journey continues within the foster care system, I learn more and more.  The more I learn, the more I can help the families I service. I can relate to the teens more because I have a better understanding of the system and how it works, outside of my experience as a former foster child. I like to consider myself as the unofficial advocate and many of the teens I have come into contact with, I always to talk to the and get to know who they are. This approach also helps me to develop a connection with them and after they get to know me, they know that I do not judge them for their mistakes but rather keep an open-mind when listening to them talk about their feelings, thoughts, and ideas. I like believe that they know that I will be someone they can come to no matter what the circumstances are that they are facing. I want to be their voice of reason and someone who inspires them by leading by example.

I want my life legacy to be more than a person who was a social worker, I want the people/children I come in contact with or touch deeply in life that I was someone who was for a better life, community, the people, and a wanted to make a difference. My aim in life is to always live to inspire!

Mis Tias

Mis tias (which means aunts in Spanish) are my everything and they inspire me to be a young lady. We can talk about anything, from my personal opinions, my inner thoughts and our family situations. They are my best friends and heroes. They are like my second mothers that I can count on for what I need. I really never had a mother and daughter bond with my own birth mother, which  I should but I don't know why. Me and my mother don't have that relationship like I want to have with her. For example, we don't really communicate or ever be on the some page about a lot of things. That's the reason why I look up to  my aunts because my aunts really listen to me and understand where I'm coming from. They are very educated and smart adults, I'm so elated to call them my aunts. One of my aunts are married and has kids. My other aunt has one kid. They treat me like their own child and that's what I like. I'm really proud to call them my tias. I'm honored and so fortunate to call them mis tias; to have them as my aunt's. I dedicate this to my wonderful, beautiful tias; they are my life and my second  mothers. I love them both equally the same.  

by: A.S.

"Now is the time"
         by:  Chantale A.

Now is the time to worship and pray.
To see all the children go run and play.
To see the smile and the elderly go.
To make the rain into a rainbow.

Now is the time to save the world.
And sit in class to learn new words.
To help the teachers fulfill their dreams.
To see the students go on to gleam.

Now is the time to learn new things.
To teach and save every grin.
To make and give and wait and receive.
To honor god and have mercy.

Now is the time to make our own world seem now.
To honor Martin Luther King Jr.
Who died trying to save lives for you.

When you think of siblings you would say that they are annoying, but to me I say that siblings are not annoying. Maybe not all of them because I do get along with my siblings. To me I think that it's an honor to have a sibling; sometimes even more than one! I can walk everywhere saying that I love my little brother. My little brother and I actually do get along unlike some who don't. When I think of my brother I think of  going to the extreme to protect him from anything. I know that my brother and I will go through a lot of tough times but I'm wiling to be there for him at any cost. My little brother inspires me because I wouldn't want him to go into foster care like I am.
I remember one of the most exciting time of my life and that was when my brother was born. I remember when he first came home from the hospital. I was so excited! I waited outside for him and my mother! Before she could even get out the car, I went to get him; carried him inside and just kept on playing with him. I got attached to him and didn't want to let him go. I don't have any regrets with him just happiness all the time.

- by Chantale A.

Hi my name is Briana R., I am 17 years old and I love to read! I am in the Pajama Program with Graham Windham agency and we are currently reading The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake. So far I like the book and I am excited to finish reading it. I recommend this book to teenagers in middle school or high school. It is a pretty easy book to read. The characters are believable and the story grabs the reader's attention. 

The Ladies Three

It's meditation time

Sittin in my car

Ladies 3 came to mind

And you bought a few tears to my eyes

It's only been a minute

but doesn't take long to

See a  heart

Feel a heart

know where a heart's comin from

Yeah, I see !

So willin to share YOU

Your time, your effort, your love

Yeah, I see!

You love these precious souls

And their blessed to have you

You know who you are

The Ladies Three