Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2383

Tonight's special guest is Tanya Cooper from New York State, a child abuse survivor. Tanya’s life in foster care began at five, due to her birth mother’s addiction and neglect. Eventually she was separated from all but one of her siblings. While in care, she survived being sexually abused by two foster brothers. Aging out of the foster care system at 18, with no family and place to go, Tanya signed herself back in until age 21. Her book, ‘Surviving Foster Care & Making It Work for You,’ is a self-help book giving foster kids tips on getting through the system. Being a fighter, and working against all odds, she's worked with children for over 2 decades, and has, among many other things, become a motivational speaker and a podcast talk show host. Her life mission is to change the lives of children by teaching youth and telling them to 'take charge of their lives' saying, "You are your only hero!” Tanya has over 14 years of experience working with youth as a clinician, and over 22 years as a youth counselor and teacher throughout various communities. “My goal is to change the attitude & face of kids in foster care, one kid at a time and teach them to go back and help others in care.” She founded 'Foster Kids Unite', which provides nontraditional services for aged-out and foster youth in college and trade school. Created to honor the memory of her birth brother who died at 41 of heart disease, Foster Kids Unite provides gift boxes during December finals, scholarships, and mentoring. Currently Tanya travels the country as a motivational speaker encouraging foster kids to rise above adversity.