I didn't just grow up in the foster care system — I aged out of it. I know what it feels like to carry your whole life in a trash bag, and to want to play a sport so badly it hurts. There were many times my family was on welfare and had barely enough money for food, let alone extracurricular activities. As a kid, I craved the community, team spirit, leadership, and belonging that sports and activities bring — but they weren't always within reach for me or for my foster mom.

When I did get to play, sports gave me friends, coaches and other adults who boosted my self-esteem, and I needed it, as someone who was bullied for being a foster kid. My teammates became my friends. Plus, by me attending activities, my foster mom who was doing this all alone, got a break. I deserved JOY and she deserved a little peace and quiet.

As a mom now, I’ve watched my own kids thrive in football, gymnastics, dance, and softball, and roller skating. I also know how fast the costs add up, and how quickly activities are the first thing to get cut when money is tight.

As an adult, I found that feeling of JOY again through roller derby, which I played on and off for 15 years. Roller derby gave me a community, exercise, and an outlet to workout years of trauma in, and friends for life. I want the same thing for all kids who've experienced too much to talk about.

I'm done waiting for someone else to fix this gap for kids in care — and I've built Foster the Fun so they don’t have to miss out on the joy, confidence, and community that come from getting to play sports, dance, or create.

Joy isn’t a luxury. It’s a right. Please join this movement!

— Connie Smith, Founder of Foster The Fun