In my previous blog, I wrote about some “famous” people who spent time in foster care. Some just a short time, others much of their childhood.

Victoria Rowell may not be as much of a “household name” as Eddie Murphy, but may be more impressive. Ms. Rowell spent her entire childhood in foster care. She entered care when she was just over two weeks old, and aged out when she was eighteen. She went on to become a wonderful dancer, but most notably was a star on The Young and the Restless soap opera. She has appeared in a few movies, and had a part on The Cosby Show.

More impressively is that she has started a foundation for foster children in 1990. The Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan helps to bring siblings together at summer camp, provide kids with opportunities they would not have otherwise, lobby for awareness of foster care, and many other impressive ventures. They offer children the chance to participate in sports and fine arts to help them boost their self esteem and pride.

One of the aspects of the foundation is job placement training. With so many children aging out of foster care, they leave with few, if any, resources for their lives. Ms. Rowell’s foundation helps secure job placements for kids in Los Angels and Orange County. What an incredible service.

The foundation also provides scholarships to kids were, or are currently in, foster care. One of the kids has gone to become an attorney; another has become a classical musician, and still another works at the Mayor’s office in Washington, D.C. What amazing accomplishments for these young adults.

She is a spokesperson for Casey Family Services. If you have never been to the Casey Family Services website, you should check it out. She was previously honored as a National Angels in Adoption recipient and has recently written a book titled “The Women Who Raised Me" as well as producing a documentary called “The Mentor”. Both of them were done in order to honor the people who influenced her life while she was in foster care.

These are all incredibly impressive credentials. I am happy to see that Ms. Rowell can show a positive side of foster care and is giving back to the community and other foster children. May she serve as an inspiration to the kids in foster care who think that they are limited in what they can accomplish.

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