Support for Black, Brown and LGBTQ+ Youth

Every young person deserves to grow up surrounded by adults who respect their identity, understand their experiences, and believe in their future. Through its EMBRACE Project, Kidsave works to address barriers that Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ youth face in foster care when seeking mentors and permanent families. Beyond helping young people find caring adults, EMBRACE works to equip those adults with the knowledge, resources, and community support needed to provide culturally responsive care. 

One important part of this work is Kidsave’s Peer Mentor Program, which connects experienced mentors and adoptive parents with adults who are newer to hosting and supporting youth through Weekend Miracles. These relationships give newer families a place to turn for practical guidance, encouragement, and insight from people who have navigated similar experiences. So far this year, EMBRACE has supported 6 peer mentors and 17 participating families. The EMBRACE evaluation teamis also working on a research paper for submission to adoption and fostering journals, focusing on the Peer Mentor program. The research is focused on the analysis of the successes and limitations of Kidsave's model replication for foster families. Early findings demonstrate that peer mentors may provide a valuable source of ongoing support for foster and adoptive families as they develop relationships with foster youth and navigate the complexity of the child's welfare system. By strengthening the network around each family, the program helps create a more sustainable foundation for young people to build trusting relationships and find lasting support. 

EMBRACE’s cultural responsiveness training is also helping caregivers reflect on how they can better affirm young people’s identities, backgrounds, and relationships. One participant shared that the training increased their understanding of cultural humility and non-discrimination in child welfare, prompting them to give their adoptive daughter more time and space to communicate with her biological siblings abroad. They also recognized the importance of helping her maintain connections with people who share her appearance, accent, and cultural background. 

Other participants highlighted practical lessons they could bring into their relationships with youth, from learning how to navigate conversations about racism to recognizing the importance of pronouncing a child’s name correctly rather than replacing it with a nickname. As one participant reflected, “I learned more about how to address uncomfortable conversations related to when children experience racism.” Another emphasized the value of Kidsave’s continued advocacy. These reflections demonstrate how culturally responsive care extends beyond formal training into everyday interactions, helping caregivers create environments where young people feel respected, understood, and connected to their identities. 

Through mentorship, training, research, and community partnerships, EMBRACE continues working to ensure that more Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ youth can find adults who affirm who they are and stand beside them as they build their futures.

Links:

• https://embrace.kidsave.org/