Inspiring Together: Providing youth in foster care enrichment activities

BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Atlanta, GA, May 24, 2019: How do you encourage youth to give back to society? Inspiring Together, a non-profit organization found one way – to provide extra-curricular opportunities for young people placed in foster care or from low-income families. Inspiring Together leverages the youth in the community to provide foster youth living in Forsyth, North Fulton and surrounding counties opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities.

Inspiring Together was incepted in 2018 with the goal to provide disadvantaged youth important enrichment activities that, because of family or financial circumstances, they otherwise could not take part in. The organization believes participation in extracurricular activities helps fostered youth feel connected and aligned with their peers, improve academic achievement and will provide important role models for these kids – someone who they may not have – to be inspired and reach their potential success in life. As mentors, youth are more likely to make positive choices and have enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as improved behavior and interpersonal skills.

Volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Forsyth County, Radhika Kurande recognized the differences between the less privileged and other kids. When a friend’s son approached her to gather community hours by offering free tennis lessons to underprivileged children, Kurande observed that this could work well for both parties involved.