OUR TEAM

The origin of Fostered Not Broken™ is rooted in the experiences of its founder, Mika Ford, who was in foster care from ages 5 to 17. During this time, she faced significant challenges, including homelessness, abuse, and violence, while advocating for herself and her three siblings. Despite these hardships, education became a refuge for Mika, who went on to become a first-generation high school, bachelor's, and master's graduate. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology with a focus on foster youth and education, Mika is driven to support and inspire foster youth by showing that their starting point does not determine their potential.

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Fostered Not Broken™ was created to provide foster youth with the resources and support needed to overcome barriers and achieve their aspirations. The organization addresses critical challenges faced by over 500,000 foster youth in the U.S., including low high school graduation rates and college attainment. Through educational programs and personal development initiatives, Fostered Not Broken seeks to empower foster youth, helping them overcome social barriers and succeed academically and personally.