Welcome to the Love Where You Are podcast! 

In today’s episode I am joined with Tori Hope Petersen.

Tori Hope Petersen is a former foster youth letting her Abba be known. She is passionate about foster care reform, adoption advocacy, vulnerable populations, and seeing the love of God change people's lives! Tori speaks across the nation sharing her powerful story, but her favorite form of art and communication is writing. 

After a faith-filled track coach invested and mentored Tori in high school, she went on to not only become a Track and Field All-American, but also to join the 3% of foster youth who graduate from college and be crowned Mrs. Universe. Today, Tori is a foster mom, adoptive mom, and biological mom, and works with nonprofits, ministries, and beyond advocating for foster care reform, adoption awareness, and help for vulnerable populations.

In this episode, Somer and Tori dive deep into the experiences of foster kids. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Tori through Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! 

 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 -Foster kids feel so lonely, unwanted, and hopeless. The odds are stacked against them and they need us. 

-The Bible tells us to love the orphans, and there are different types of orphans, not just the ones whose parents have died. We should love all the children who need stability and hope in their life. 

-There is backlash against adopted parents and people who foster but don't let it stop you from fulfilling God's calling in your life. 

 

REMEMBER:

-Foster kids are not stereotypes or statistics, they are real people who need love and support.

-Hurt people hurt people. We need love to break the cycle and begin the healing. 

-You don't have to dive into the deep end with fostercare. You can start by supporting a ministry, bringing a meal, being restbit, and finding out more. There are plenty of ways to help. 

 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.