November 13, 2024

Former Naval Officer Shares About His Experiences in Foster Care with Dairius Kawawehi

50 minutes

Darius Kawewehi, a former foster youth, shares his experiences and insights on being in foster care. He was born and raised in Hawaii and grew up surrounded by the Hawaiian culture. Darius shares the story of his viral video in high school where he read a thank you letter to his adoptive mom. He then delves into his journey of entering foster care at the age of four, the uncertainty and confusion he felt, and the traumatic experiences he went through. He highlights the importance of finding stability and a sense of belonging in a family, which allowed him to start healing and envision a future for himself.

Dairius reflects on the pivotal moments in his life and the importance of belonging and support. He emphasizes the role of community in the lives of foster children, highlighting the impact of teachers, therapists, and coaches who provided love and guidance. Dairius also discusses the challenges of feeling like a transactional figure in some foster homes and the disruption of birth orders. He shares his vision of creating a mentorship program for current and former foster youth and the importance of creating a safe space for them to connect and heal.

Some short videos featuring Dairius on various topics:

What makes a good foster parent?

Forgiveness and finding hope

Thoughts around adoption

Healing from abuse and trauma

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