As a Community, We Must Take Action to Make a Difference

“I am a part of the UTHS Foster’s Voice Suicide Awareness Club for the people around me. I know people that struggle, each differently and at a different level. I also struggle at times. I joined this club so I could be better equipped to help not only myself, but the people around me, and be that light for them when they need it most. I AM FOSTER’S VOICE”

“I have struggled with my mental health for most of my young adult and adult life, and I honestly wish in my younger years a foundation like Foster's Voice existed. Foster's Voice has created a safe space for anyone to talk about their struggles, to open up about their mental health, their grief, their feelings and still feel loved and accepted. While I wish that this organization didn't come at a cost, the loss of Foster, the tragedy really has created light in an otherwise dark subject. I've lost loved ones to suicide and watched loved ones suffer through those same losses. I believe those who are gone needed Foster's Voice. But their death left us, the friends, family, & coworkers, needing Foster's Voice even more. I'm thankful that I could refer those who are grieving, and feeling lost to Foster's Voice, because the pain won't go away, but you don't have to handle it alone.”

“Honestly men normally do not show up to talk about mental health; or simply just be in a room that are all men and just listen how others are doing is powerful in the feelings and need to know, as men, we are not alone! To have a place where I can share ANYTHING openly, safely with other men and receive in return pure genuine honest love and support without blame or judgement has changed my life. And to build each other up, as men in our community doing projects to make our group and the community stronger. Foster Atwood has made me a better man and continues to through ‘Foster’s Voice St. Michael’s Men’s Group’. I feel like Foster continues to make the world a better place in way no one could have imagined!”

“I found Foster’s Voice years ago when my friend had just lost her brother to suicide. It was an outlet she needed but as I learned more about Foster’s Voice, working with our community and our high schoolers, I have supported the organization ever since. The way that I have witnessed them (Kevin and Jaime) speak to the community about the loss that they have experienced and the reason why they work tirelessly to help keep others safe is inspiring. Beyond the support groups and the scholarships that they offer they are also supporting those in pain and giving people a voice to say, I struggle with mental health and that is okay. I thank you and look forward to see your impact for years to come.”

“I truly appreciate the work Foster’s Voice is doing within our local schools to engage and empower students. They give students around the QC a safe place to discuss mental health with meetings that provide both learning opportunities and ongoing support systems. For some students, this may be the only place they have to share and express themselves in a safe environment. Students learn that it is okay to talk about how they are feeling, and to seek help when life becomes overwhelming. Students also learn how to recognize signs in others so they can step in and offer help and/or provide resources to assist. The presence of Foster’s Voice in the local schools should not be minimized. These young adults are learning crucial life lessons and skills that they can carry forward long after high school. The reach is absolutely amazing. The more we talk about mental health, the more lives we can save. Be the voice!”

“Foster’s Voice has made an impact an impact on me in so many ways. I have received the connection to the resources I need to deal with childhood trauma, along with knowing I can never give up even when the odds are against me!”

“Foster’s Voice has given me an opportunity that as a guy is hard to find. A place to be open and vulnerable with my emotions. It has become like a second family to me. It has helped me heal my mental health, and given me an opportunity to help others alone the way.”

“As a family we have been involved with Foster’s Voice from their inception. We thought it was such a great cause and wanted to be involved and try and do our part. Never did I think that we would end up using their services, but we did. During COVID, my son started struggling mentally and they were the first ones that we reached out to. Immediately they told us what we needed to do, and we jumped into action. He is in such a better place today because of Foster’s Voice. Foster’s Voice is a non-profit where there is a place for everyone! They make it very inviting and fun even though you are touching on serious issues.”

“I have been impacted deeply by Foster’s Voice and Foster’s story since I was introduced to this organization. Foster’s Voice has given me this incredible support system that has supported me in amazing ways. I have also been given the opportunity to get involved and learn how to become an advocate! Mental health and suicide prevention are topics close to my heart and I am thankful for the work that Foster’s Voice is doing to impact our community!”

“Foster’s Voice has made me believe in myself again and helps me give hope to others and a real opportunity to save lives. It’s a real sense of family that truly love and care for everyone.”

“I am a Foster’s Voice student leader at UT, which is where I found my love for helping others with their mental health. For a while I felt alone, scared and unloved. I realized that I needed help for myself before I can help others after a suicide attempt in 2020.  My older sister was a part of a mental health awareness club at Moline High School called Natural Helpers which is where I learned that I wanted to be a part of something like that. I went through all the clubs at UTHS trying to find something similar and I came across a club called Foster’s Voice. Right away I knew that I wanted to help more than just showing up to meetings every other week. I was asked to be a student leader I was thrilled that Jaime could see how much I cared about the club. I truly do not know where I would be without Jaime, Kevin, and Foster’s story. I am Foster’s Voice because I know I am not alone in this hard journey. I love Foster’s Voice and the amazing people in it and I am forever grateful for what this club has given to me. I AM FOSTER’S VOICE!”

“I am so grateful for finding this group. It has helped me realize that being a man doesn’t mean that I cannot let my feelings out. The guys that I have met there are amazing. They are the least judgmental group of guys I have ever met. If any of them called on me I would do everything in my power to be there for them.”

“I had a friend in High School who committed suicide, and I always wondered how many people struggled to deal with his death. We needed something like Foster's Voice then, and we certainly need it now more than ever. I love that Foster's Voice teamed up with our race team, so we can share Foster with the racing world. Everywhere there are people hurting, and that goes for the race community too. If having them on our car saves just one life, or us getting to talk about it at the track can help someone, than that's all we care about.”

“Such an amazing couple. They opened their hearts and home to me, a stranger! I left there feeling welcome, accepted, and most of all loved for who I am. Thank you so much for that, Jaime and Kevin, and the rest of the group as well. Truly amazing people.”