Writing & Motivational Speaking, Political Activism, and Community Service.Education is also essential!
Anyone who has a passion to make change--especially young people who have overcome adversity and are striving to make the world a better place for others.
Cathy Konrad, the producer of the Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line†had an option to develop Ashley’s story for a theatrical film.
Please see my website for more clips, links, and info on my previous and upcoming appearances!www.rhodes-courter.com
• Three Little Words, Simon & Schuster. Memoir of my foster care experience. • Writing in the Works, Edited by Susan Blau and Kathryn Burak, Houghton Mifflin, 2007. Paid reprint of NY Times Essay in section of textbook on memoir writing. • Children’s Voice Magazine, July/August 2004 issue (Vol 13, No. 4). “Community is Giving Back†Child Welfare League winning essay reprint. • Children’s Beat Magazine, Fall 2003 issue (Vol. 10, No. 4). Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families. Reprint of NY Times Essay. • Someone There for Me: Everyday Heroes Through the Eyes of Teens in Foster Care, CWLA Press, May 2004. (Chapter of prize-winning essay for CASA.) • New York Times Magazine, June 1, 2003. “Lives: Three Little Words.†• Teen People: Real Life Diaries edited by Linda Friedman and Dana White, Avon, 2001. “Escape from Foster Care†chapter with photo illustrations. • USA Today, October 9, 2000. “How the Harry Potter Books Changed My Life.â€
The more than half a million children in foster care, and the 118,000 children waiting to be adopted. May they find as much love, happiness, and success as I have. I also want to thank the GOOD foster and adoptive parents for opening their hearts and homes to children. And without dedicated CASA's, Guardian ad Litems, and other child welfare workers, so many more of us would fall through the cracks.