Blog
ASCI Presents: A Lived Experience Story ft. Sara Hammell
Each month, A Second Chance, Inc. shares the voices of our kinship families through Q&A-style discussions. We are an agency that strives to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to children in the care of relatives or close family friends—formally called kinship care. Our goal is to truly understand our kinship families by listening to the irreplaceable insights that the lived experience of caregivers, birth parents, and children can offer to make the narrative authentic and programming more meaningful. This month we had the pleasure of speaking with a former youth in care, Sara Hammell.
What does kinship care mean to you? Why is it important?
Kinship care means keeping youth in their own families instead of traditional foster care. Kinship care should be the first stop for youth in need of a placement. It’s important because youth should be able to stay close to their family if it’s safe.
Can you speak about your experience in kinship care?
My experience in kinship care was great. I lived with my maternal grandparents, they’re in their 80s now. I was able to stay in my school district and still go to all family events. I had birthday parties! I have pictures of when we went on trips and weekend drives. I see that gap in the youth I work with. My grandparents kept me in Girl Scouts. Life wasn’t heavily disrupted because my sisters and I were already staying with my grandparents. The only difference is that my parents were around less than they had already been around, but I didn’t skip a beat.
Children that grow up in their grandparent’s care have a different way of life. Looking back as an adult, I can tell you that I skipped a lot of heartaches by being able to lean on the wise words you overhear living with older generations. I stayed with my grandparents until I moved to Mississippi with my sister. When I returned to Pittsburgh, I went into traditional foster care, at no fault of my grandparents.
Have you kept in contact with your kinship caregivers?
I still have a relationship with my kinship caregivers. I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with blood family members if it wasn’t for my grandparents taking me in.
What do you consider to be some of your greatest accomplishments thus far? Also, what has been your motivation?
Honestly, one of my biggest accomplishments is not becoming what the world tried to make me. I have every reason to be strung out on a curb, getting walked over by anyone. I have every reason to be the rudest person with the cards I was dealt. I have every reason to be cold-hearted. I don’t owe this world anything. My greatest accomplishment is not letting anyone take my smile. I can stop right here and still beat the odds!
What are you working towards next?
Professionally, I work at DHS in the Youth Support Partner Unit. My role is a supervisor/coach. I also carry a caseload working as an advocate and mentor with youth labeled “at-risk” who are currently in the system to help them learn to navigate the system, teach them effective goal setting, and encourage youth to use their own voice because it does matter. I am currently pursuing a degree in social work. I also am in the process of launching a nonprofit coming soon!
What advice would you give to youth going through kinship care?
Be involved! Go to the team meetings, go to every court date, and use your voice! Did you know you can clear the courtroom if you just ask the judge to talk to them alone? Take pictures, and get into as many pictures with family that you can!
Given where you are today, if you could give advice to your 11-year-old self, what would you say?
[I would say] Baby, you are worth so much more than you think. Girl, I am so sorry for the things you don’t even see ahead of you! One thing about you Sara, you ALWAYS make a way! Just keep doing the best you can with what you have! You’re going to be so happy baby girl, but first, you must get strong.