Navigating the New Year: A Guide for Care-Experienced Individuals

By Susan Vickers
As we stand on the threshold of 2025, the weight of expectations and uncertainties can feel particularly heavy for those with care experience. The Susan Vickers Foundation, with its motto "Turning Pain Into Purpose," understands these challenges and offers support to help you navigate this transition. Here’s how to manage overwhelming emotions and take practical steps toward a positive start to the new year.

Your experiences have shaped you, but they don’t define your future. This new year is an opportunity to write a new chapter in your story. Remember, your past is a part of you, but it’s not all of you.

Practical Step: Reflect Without Judgment

Take time to look back on 2024, celebrating accomplishments and acknowledging challenges without being critical of yourself. The Susan Vickers Foundation offers mentorship programs to guide you through this reflection process, helping you gain perspective and set meaningful goals for the year ahead.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to trusted friends, mentors, or professionals. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Practical Step: Create a Support System

The foundation organizes community-building events that bring together care-experienced individuals, foster parents, and adoptive families. These gatherings provide opportunities for sharing experiences, forming new friendships, and building a robust support network.

Break down your aspirations into smaller, achievable steps. This approach can make the year ahead feel less daunting and more manageable. Celebrate each small victory as you progress toward your larger goals.

Practical Step: Plan Ahead

The Susan Vickers Foundation offers apprenticeship opportunities and educational programs to help you structure your goals and create a clear path forward. These initiatives provide practical skills and experiences to build your future.

Prioritize your mental and physical well-being. Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health.

Practical Step: Incorporate Mindfulness

The foundation provides access to mental health and well-being support, including counseling services and wellness programs. These resources can help you develop mindfulness techniques and coping strategies tailored to your unique experiences.

Seek out communities of care-experienced individuals. Sharing experiences and coping strategies can be incredibly empowering. You’re not alone in your journey.

Practical Step: Engage in Foundation Activities

Participate in the cultural capital initiatives offered by the Susan Vickers Foundation. These experiences are designed to broaden horizons, build confidence, and create meaningful connections with others who understand your journey.

Your experiences give you a unique perspective. Consider using your voice to advocate for positive changes in the care system. Your story matters and can make a difference.

Practical Step: Join Advocacy Efforts

The Susan Vickers Foundation is committed to creating a more equitable future for care-experienced children. Get involved in their advocacy and empowerment programs to help break down barriers and ensure equal access to opportunities for all care-experienced individuals.

As you face this new year, remember that overwhelm is a feeling, not a fact. You’ve overcome challenges before, and you have the strength to face whatever 2025 brings. Your care experience has given you resilience and adaptability – use these as your superpowers in the year ahead.

The Susan Vickers Foundation, in partnership with organizations like the Wolves Foundation, is here to support you every step of the way. Through comprehensive support programs, community building, educational and cultural enrichment, and advocacy efforts, the foundation aims to empower care-experienced individuals to overcome challenges, thrive, succeed, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Remember to take regular breaks, practice self-care, and be flexible with your goals. It’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned. By implementing these strategies and utilizing the resources provided by the Susan Vickers Foundation, you can navigate the new year with a greater sense of calm, purpose, and support.

As you step into 2025, know that you’re not just facing a new year – you’re embracing a new opportunity to grow, learn, and make a difference. With the right support and mindset, this year could be the one where you stop looking back at what’s happened and start looking forward.