Conni’s Corner- Politics, Teens Angels

The angels & the albatross

I had an unexpected phone conversation with an angel that was ready to spread her wings in 2022. Teens in foster care were calling her name for help! Having worked for National Audubon Society years ago I know all about wing spans.  The albatross is the largest flying bird with a wingspan of about 11 feet. Well guess what. I have met a few guardian angels in Virginia Beach recently who have wings much larger!

During a phone conversation with my first angel, it was revealed that she is a mother, which is of course already synonymous with angel. Layer that with being a Navy wife AND mom she can classify as a saint!

Guess

Guess the profession of this earthly angel.  

Her name: Anne-Ferrell Tata,

Profession:  Politician, a member of the VA House of Delegates since 2022.

In the current political climate, politicians and angels are rarely used synonymously, however I found Delegate Tata to be the exception the rule.

The angel is in the House!

Delegate Tata was elected to the VA House of Delegates in 2022.  She sponsored House Bill 349 to provide a monthly housing payment of $470 to teens aging out of the foster care system in Virginia.

Aging out in Virginia means that when a teen turns 18, they no longer have the services once provided to them while in the foster care system.

Can you imagine on the day you turn 18 the basic needs you once received of food, water and shelter as a teen in foster care just vanishes?  Now you must face adulthood with no family, no guaranteed housing and potentially no job to support yourself.  Guardian Angel Delegate Tata to the rescue!

Why do I care?

Having spent the better part of my professional career involved with teens from all over the globe, founder of Simple Teen Life as well as a mom myself I wanted to learn more. What motivated her to improve the Virginia foster care system for teens aging out?  Anyone wanting to help teens in vulnerable situations had my attention. 

So, I emailed her office hoping to speak with her. Expecting to be put on the back burner or even totally ignored, I sent a request anyway. You won’t know if you don’t ask. Within 24 hours I got a response, and a phone call was scheduled.  Can you imagine a politician taking the time to personally return your call as an average citizen? Pinch me!  I found an angel in the House!

Can you hear me now?

Delegate Tata called me while walking and working on Capitol Hill and literally started off with this:

“Hi Conni.” I could barely hear her and then she said, “it’s Anne Ferrell Tata, can you hear me now?” “It’s nice to talk to you Conni.  I am actually walking to another meeting so sorry if the noise is loud but wanted to talk with you.”  I could only laugh. A Verizon commercial, “can ya hear me now” was in the making of an honest politician attempting to communicate with her very own people! 

Wanting to honor her time and kindness I had one simple question for Delegate Tata.

“What motivated you to introduce House Bill 349?” I asked.  She answered, “Isiah 58.”

Isiah 58?

Admitting I had no idea what that passage referred to off the top of my head she summarized:

“Isaiah 58 basically says that God loves all people and that we should take care of the people who need it.  We should care for orphans which mirrors our current day foster care system. If I was elected, I told myself my mission would be about helping teens in foster care aging out.” 

Full of facts, figures and genuine passion, Delegate Tata continued to educate me on programs in Virginia such as Fostering Futures and Great Expectations. Emphasizing that not all teens are college bound she noted HB349 would unlock the door to affordable housing for teens aging out.

It was apparent in our 15-minute phone conversation that Delegate Tata is on a mission to use her political standing to create a positive change for teens in foster care getting ready to age out.

Did HB349 pass?

Yes. With 100% bipartisan support.    
PASSED  2022-08-04 – Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter 

Senate vote:  39-Y 0-N   House vote:  93-Y 0-N

This 100% bipartisan vote was a refreshing proving politics and party lines did not rule the vote. Compassion to protect our very valuable yet vulnerable teen population resulted in the 100% bipartisan vote.  The VA House of Delegates was full of angels that session with Del Tata as lead guardian angel.

Good things happen in threes!

Later in October of 2022, I attended the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach (IAB), conference in my hometown of Va Beach. IAB is an organization whose call to action that beautiful October day was to gain collaborative support for the foster care community. 

Finally getting to meet Delegate Tata in person I listened as she shared the story of once being told to “tone down your faith” while on the campaign trail.  While speaking at IAB she made it very clear that she is a woman of faith and a politician at the same time. Her angel wings are in full use!

Later that same day at the IAB conference I met two more angels in the non-profit sector supporting teens in foster care in Virginia.

Meet Joy Rios, Founder and CEO of Connect With A Wish since 2104.  Another guardian angel for teens that crossed my path in Va Beach.

Joy recently received the Human Rights Award December 2022 from the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission (VBHRC).  Awarded annually, it honors individuals and groups who have demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people with diverse backgrounds. Totally impressive!

Joy and her team are a voice in the community speaking for the rights of youth that are in foster care or have aged out of foster care, truly making a difference in the lives of our city’s most vulnerable citizens. 

Meet another angel Lauren Tremper, Hampton Roads Community Engagement Coordinator for Va Kids Belong.

Lauren walks the walk when it comes to advocacy and action for our foster care system. She and her family began their own foster care journey which eventually added two more children through adoption making a total of five kids! I told you she is a Guardian angel!

After finalizing their first adoption, Lauren saw a huge need for awareness and greater access to resources for foster families in the Hampton Roads region and began building a network to help. 

Angels among us

Inspirational, authentic, intelligent and engaging is how I can best describe Anne, Joy and Lauren. I am thrilled to say I know three unwavering champion guardian angels.  Few women have inspired me more.

The House is in session NOW!

In 2022 Delegate Tata wrapped her huge angel wings around the entire Va House of Delegates.  She took flight and please excuse the pun!  With her guidance and efforts from many others she made a difference in the lives of older teens in foster care.   

The 2023 Va General Assembly is currently in session and Delegate Tata is in the HOUSE again where there is still much work to be done!   Let’s send Del Tata and all lawmakers off to the Virginia General Assembly with prayers, some common sense and a splash of encouragement from Dr Suess!

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Much love & Stay warm! 

Conni, Founder of STL

Slow teen life down!

GET INVOLVED!  Anne, Joy, Lauren are moms just like me and millions of others.  Somewhere in their life journey, foster care became their focus along with a desire to make a difference.  You don’t need to foster a teen in your home to make a difference for kids in foster care. I am not a foster parent, but I can still make a difference.  As founder of Simple Teen Life, we have raised over $1000 since 2018 for teens in foster care because we can! 

Connect With a Wish | Virginia Foster Care Nonprofit

Virginia’s Kids Belong | The Foster Care Crisis (vakidsbelong.org)

Home – America’s Kids Belong (americaskidsbelong.org)

Home – Simple Teen Life   Your purchase of our Simple Teen Box will help teens ready to age out!