Rising Stars: Meet Tasha Whitener

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Whitener.

Hi Tasha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey with foster care began when I was working at First Baptist Woodstock in the Elementary Department. I attended a Children’s Pastor’s Conference where Wayne and Diane Tesch (Founders of RFK, Inc., now For the Children) led a session on Royal Family KIDS Camp. It was during that session that I was made aware of the foster care situation and God laid it on my heart to start one of these camps. However, it wasn’t the right time as I was young and inexperienced. In 2007, ten years later (during which I worked for DFCS as well as FBCW), we felt led to start our first Royal Family KIDS Camp. After that first camp, meeting these kids and seeing the statistics, we knew we had to do more. In 2009, my husband (Doug) and I started the non-profit Kids Cubed, which has since rebranded and been renamed Waymark. This enabled us to provide teen camps, mentoring as well as skills-training. We held camp for 28 kids in 2008 and will end 2022 serving over 450+ youth with 300+ volunteers through four different programs and 27,000+ volunteer hours.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. There are unique challenges working with youth who have experienced foster care such as the instability of their living situation, the long-lasting effects of the trauma they have experienced, the turnover in DFCS caseworkers, the massive number of volunteers needed, and raising funds. We do not charge for programming.

All of that being said, it has been a beautiful journey. God has provided all the way. It is very hard work but 100% worth it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Waymark has served youth ages 6-21+ in foster care since 2008. Our mission is to give hope to youth in foster care by forming personal connections and an understanding that God has a plan and a purpose for their lives. It’s all about relationships.

Relationships are initiated at our camps – RFKC (6-12) & Journey Weekend (12-17). They are continued through our Community4Youth Mentoring Program. This includes one on one and group mentoring (weekly & bi-monthly) as well as quarterly events.

Xtreme Journey is our Life & Job skills training and is implemented through scheduled events and woven throughout our Compass Groups.

Ultimately, our goal is to help youth in foster care successfully transition to adulthood by creating the structure and space for caring volunteers to provide skills, support, and critical relationships. Most importantly, we want our youth to experience the love and hope of Christ!

We provide all of our programmings free for DFCS, private foster agencies, group homes as well as adoptive & relative placements. Our desire is to not only support youth in foster care but agencies and families as well, providing respite, access to resources, and a support system.

Program Descriptions:

Royal Family KIDS Camp

Since 2008, we have provided a one-week, overnight camp for children ages 6-12 in the foster care system. These camps serve to create positive memories and instill the truth that they are loved, valued and God has a plan and purpose for their life. Children experience activities such as swimming, fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, Chapel and team games as well as specialized activities such as “Everybody’s birthday party,” a Superhero Event for the boys and a Princess Ball among many others. Children receive a memory bag, Bible, photo album and mail throughout the week.

Xtreme Journey

This program provides valuable training to assist as teens ages 14-21 prepare to emancipate from the foster care system. They learn about self-care, daily living, career development, work/study techniques, and financial management, etc. This includes Saturday training sessions as well as integration with our C4Y Compass Groups tailored to individual needs, skillsets and goals. Teens are also connected to valuable resources, tools, job opportunities and service projects. We also provide one-on-one coaching through one of our partners.

Journey Weekend

A weekend camp for teens ages 12-17 that takes place in North Georgia and includes high/low ropes courses, team games, art, dance, Chapel, Spa time for the girls, a birthday party, football & basketball, various workshops and more! They also receive a photo album and mail throughout the weekend. Most importantly, we show them the love of Christ and communicate their value, worth and the message that their future is full of hope and purpose!

Community4Youth Mentoring Program

Community4Youth is our mentoring program that provides a support system through connections made with caring adults at our camps, special events and Compass groups. Our desire is for these connections to result in a mentorship that gives our kids the consistency, guidance, support, and advocacy they need and deserve. We provide 1:1 and group mentoring (Compass Groups).

Compass Groups are weekly and bi-monthly meetings at local group homes. The goal is to build relationships and create a support team for each teen in the group. We share a meal, play games and provide a devotional as well as outings throughout the year. We also teach critical life skills tailored to the needs of each group, so youth will be prepared for independence as they age out of the system. We currently have 9 groups with 9+ projected to be added in 2023 including 4 for youth in foster/adoptive homes.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
We specialize in creating and nurturing relationships, providing truly fun experiences and making kids feel loved and important. Our kids experience many firsts at camp such as their first time catching a fish (or even fishing at all), celebrating their birthday, and hearing about the hope of Christ.

We are known for our comprehensive approach. Our relationships traditionally begin when they are ages 6-12 at our Royal Family KIDS Camp with the goal of continuing through adulthood, providing the skills, tools and support needed for success. Our desire is that every child would be connected with a mentor before they age out of the system.

I am most grateful for and proud of the people who serve in this ministry. I have never met more passionate, dedicated, and loving people in my life. They go above and beyond, sacrificing time and resources to ensure these children and teens know they are loved and supported. They are the best of the best.

I believe what sets us apart from others is our focus on relationships, attention to detail, and comprehensive approach. It is also our desire to do whatever it takes to reach our kids, maintain contact and advocate for them. It is too easy for our kids to fall through the cracks when they are “in the system.”

It is critical that our children and teens understand their value and worth and that they have a support system to lead, advocate for them, and guide them on their journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.waymarkfoster.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waymarkfoster
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaymarkFoster
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/2FNRIHRByTw

Image Credits
Gretchen Caldwell