Foster Care Youth Hear From Nationally Renown Advocate

By Libby Smith

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo (CBS4) - At the Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, Josh Shipp spoke to foster care youth in one session, and then parents and adults in another session. Shipp brought a message of empowerment to both audiences.

"I believe that every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story," Shipp told CBS4.

LINK: Josh Shipp

He spent his entire childhood in the foster care system. Shipp describes himself as an angry child, who actively caused trouble in order to get kicked out of as many foster homes as he could. He said that he was in 12 different homes before he met the one caring adult who helped him turn his life around.

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"Each kid has their own unique challenges… situations they've been through, therefore the prescription to help them get the help that they need is different," Shipp explained.

Using humor and poignant stories from his own experience in foster care, Shipp reached out to the youth in the audience encouraging them to take responsibility for their own lives and pain.

"I want to share my story in hopes that they understand that regardless of what sort of situation they find themselves in, they can make a series of choices where they, too, could turn their life around regardless of the obstacles that they currently face," Shipp said.

Shipp has been a motivational speaker since he was 17 years old. He's become an advocate for youth, a best-selling author, and a TV show host. His message to all adults is to keep an eye out in your community for that child who may need the time and attention of a caring adult, because you could make a big differences in that child's life.

"My hope is… do for one kid what you wish you could do for all kids," Shipp said.

Shipp's presentations where sponsored by The Adoption Exchange as a part of its ongoing services to children living in the foster care system.

LINK: The Adoption Exchange

Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.