My Orange Duffel Bag Stories
In Oct/Nov/Dec of 2010, I completed the 2010 50 States in 50 Days tour to bring light to the plight of teens aging out of foster care in America. This is a serious problem. 70% of our nation’s prisoners report having spent some time in the foster care system. 80% of teens that age out of foster care go homeless within the first six months of aging out.
The Orange Duffel Bag Foundation was formed to help teens by Echo Garrett and Sam Bracken, co-authors of the book My Orange Duffel Bag-A Journey to Radical Change.
Excerpt from the Orange Duffel Bag Foundation website:
Here is Sam Bracken’s story.
I went searching the 50 States for kids who had aged out of foster care, homeless teens, or individuals that have devoted their time to work with foster kids. Here are some of the stories that I found in those 50 States in 50 Days.
Michelle’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Wasilla, Alaska-Oct. 29th, 2010:
Becky’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Gig Harbor, Washington-Oct. 30th, 2010:
Samantha’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Portland, Oregon-Oct. 31st, 2010:
Senator Les Bock’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Boise, Idaho-Nov. 1st, 2010:
Shawn’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Missoula, Montana-Nov. 2nd, 2010:
Sarah’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Laramie, Wyoming-Nov. 3rd, 2010:
Deborah and Maureen’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Dickinson, North Dakota-Nov. 4th, 2010:
Joy’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Pierre, South Dakota-Nov. 5th, 2010:
Martha’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Hutchinson, Kansas-Nov. 6th, 2010
Jessica’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Lincoln, Nebraska-Nov. 7th, 2010:
Linda’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Mason CIty, Iowa-Nov. 8th, 2010:
Deana’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Columbia, Missouri-Nov. 9th, 2010:
Marilyn and Pam’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Terre Haute, Indiana-Nov. 10th, 2010:
Judy’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Minneapolis, MN-Nov. 11th, 2010:
Mary and Dick’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-De Pere, Wisconsin-Nov. 12th, 2010:
Dan’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Berwyn, Illinois-Nov. 13th, 2010:
Bob’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Jackson, Michigan-Nov. 14th, 2010:
Laquita’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Cincinnati, Ohio-Nov. 15th, 2010:
Emily’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Aliquippa, Pennsylvania-Nov. 16th, 2010:
New York’s Orange Duffel Bag Story is coming soon-Nov. 17th, 2010
Frank’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Hartford, Connecticut-Nov. 18th, 2010
Deborah’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts-Nov. 19th, 2010:
Jane’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Norway, Maine-Nov. 20th, 2010:
Kathy’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-New Boston, New Hampshire-Nov. 21st. 2010:
Victoria’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Barre, Vermont-Nov. 22nd, 2010:
Brittany’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Saunderstown, Rhode Island-Nov. 23rd, 2010:
Usufu’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Somers Point, New Jersey-Nov. 24th, 2010:
Lynae’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Greenville, Delaware-Nov. 25th, 2010:
Annapolis, Maryland-Nov. 26th, 2010-Interview coming soon.
Burke, Virginia-Nov. 27th,2010-Interview coming soon.
Steven’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Charlotte, North Carolina-Nov. 28th, 2010:
Steve’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Parkersburg, West Virginia-Nov. 29th, 2010:
Ian’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Owensboro, Kentucky-Nov. 30th, 2010:
Robyn’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Nashville, Tennessee-Dec. 1st, 2010:
Shaquana’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Atlanta, Georgia-Dec. 2nd, 2010:
South Carolina-Dec. 3rd, 2010-Interview being edited
Florida-Dec. 4th-Interview being edited
Fran’s Orange Duffel Bag Story-Dothan, Alabama-Dec. 5th:
Baton Rouge, Louisiana-Dec. 6th-Interview being edited
Tupelo, Mississippi-Dec. 7th-Interview being edited
North Little Rock, Arkansas-Dec. 8th-Interview being edited
See the Roadmap for when we are coming through your town, and if you don’t see your State on the schedule………then please consider hosting a house concert. Get in touch!
If you’d like to buy us a tank of gas, or a coffee……click here.
This is our real-time location………
GPS tracking powered by InstaMapper.com
See also the “mission statement”
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
My story started out when I was only 3 days old. I was born in a maternity home for unwed mothers and was immediately placed into the fostercare system. When 3 days old a couple came to the home looking for a foster child. There were 3 of us available. The couple looked at the first kid, then the second kid, and when they looked at me, I started crying like mad. The woman picked me up and said “I'll take this one”. When I was two the judge said I could be adopted and my “parents” immediately requested that they be my new legal parents. They got their wish and I got a wonderful home. So, I always say that “I got to choose my own parents when I was only 3 days old”.
Robert, very cool. Were you with your parents the entire time? Thanks for commenting and sharing.
I just finished reading the book today. I don't have a story like Sam's, but I did grow up in a toxic environment. My mom wasn't supportive and would always tell me I wouldn't be successful at anything. My parents made sure my three sisters and I grew up and had all of the things we needed. My dad worked hard, but I, personally, could have used the support of a mentor in my life. I didn't have one, so much like Sam, I set my own rules and decided that I wasn't going to let the negatives get me down. It wasn't easy, I wasn't always successful, but I've come along way. I would love to talk with Sam or hear him lecture. I so admire his dedication and his determination to not let the negatives write his story. I'm passing the book on to my son, who is ready to embark on a major journey in his life. He wants to make a new beginning and move on. And I have to let him go and trust that he has the sense to make wise choices. I hope he'll read the book and take some notes!
Thanks for sharing that Linda. I think the key is that you learned from your mom's mistakes. You broke the cycle………..that is good. I think you are lovely and special……..you helped me alot on the last 50 States in 50 Days tour……I know that.
Would it count as a man 27 years old who is lost and never had anyone to mentor him? His Dad died at an early age and his Mom is mentally disabled.
Totally! I would love to talk to you. What state do you live in?
{ 6 trackbacks }