If a child experiencing foster care spent 18 years in the same home, you might assume that they developed a strong sense of belonging within the family. But this is not always the case.
When Tash Haynes was born, her biological mother was unable to raise a child due to a mental disability. Fortunately, Tash was taken in by a family—but after growing up in their house until she aged out of the foster care system, Tash felt that although her basic needs had been met, her emotional needs had not.
Today, Tash is a renowned content creator, a community builder, and a mother of three girls. She is beyond proud of the family and career she’s been able to build despite the obstacles life has thrown her way.
In this episode, Tash gets candid about why it’s crucial to make sure children in foster care feel a sense of belonging, how showing her own daughters love is helping to heal the little girl inside of her, how God’s redemptive character has been on display in her life, and so much more.
- Free Video Resource From TFI: Foster Care & The Church
- Tash Haynes’ Website
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TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. Find ways to help children in foster care feel like part of your family’s story.
Tash grew up in the care of one foster family, and although she was grateful for this stability, she distinctly remembers looking through family photo albums and feeling sad that she was never featured. Being a foster parent is about so much more than putting a roof over a child’s head—it’s about giving them a safe haven where they feel just as cherished, valued, and loved as the rest of your family.
“I didn’t realize how much I didn’t have until I started raising my kids.”
2. Breaking difficult cycles can be deeply rewarding and healing.
Both Tash and her biological mother were placed in the child welfare system at a young age. When Tash had daughters of her own, she was determined to give her children the unconditional love, warmth, and support she wasn’t able to receive. Tash’s story goes to show that not only can cycles be broken, but pouring into the loved ones in our lives can help us heal old wounds.
“I feel like I spent a lot of my life trying to find family, or trying to make family.”
3. God is guiding us even in the moments we don’t realize it.
Although Tash endured many challenges in her life, she can clearly see the moments in her life where God’s grace and goodness were woven into her story. When we feel lost or broken, knowing that God is with us and has a plan for us can provide the courage and hope we need to keep moving forward.
“Nothing is more redeeming than knowing who you are in God.”
Meet Our Guest
Tash Haynes is a multifaceted professional. With a Master’s Degree in Public Action from the University of Washington, she has 20 years of experience working with local nonprofits in youth development. She has established herself as one of the Top 15 Influencers in the Pacific Northwest and is an expert in travel and photography. She also has a passion for entrepreneurship, having cultivated her skills in digital marketing, made a name for herself as a dynamic speaker, and even orchestrated conferences aimed at empowering small businesses. Whether it’s rallying a group of entrepreneurs or managing the delightful chaos of being a working mother to three spirited children, Tash’s essence lies in her ability to build communities.
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