Danny Vann- Foster Care Is NOT What You Think It Is! (Former Foster & Trauma Survivor) (July 2021)

Issue Seven- July 2021:

By Danny Vann, Mercedes Barreto

The foster system in our communities has been known for its hold on youth and adults alike who experience the worst of such a system, yet I seldom find a useful, yet simplified source which will guide me in this quite elaborate and rocky subject. Danny Vann, a former foster and trauma survivor, gives us a seemingly well-devised recollection of his previous foster system experiences, and other valid information, to get a sincere hold on the subject.

What marked the beginning of this mission of yours, to help others in the same situation as your situation, when it comes to foster care and its hold on so many children and adults alike?

“This part of my journey started after I suffered a disabling heart attack that ended both my corporate career – and my 45-year entertainment career, after spending over 1 ½ years recovering and confined to the living room couch. I felt the call to reach out and tell my story in order to inspire and educate others who are going through, or are overcoming, family trauma and/or foster care experiences like mine. I wrote my first book, ‘My Journey in the Shadow of ‘The King”, and began sharing it on social media.

Here’s the back story:
After our parents finally got divorced following years of violent physical, mental, and verbal abuse, we then went through kinship care, and then to an orphanage, foster homes, then the reunification with our Dad (the violent parent), and then an alcoholic step-mom who instigated MORE VIOLENCE (Dad actually broke her jaw 3-times during their 30-year marriage) – I finally emancipated out at 17 when I left a note on the wall phone that had been ripped down so many times – my note said, “You’ve done enough, I’ll take it from here.” I moved 100 miles away to live with a musical family I had just met – in order to get some sense of stability and sanity in my life.

I am the oldest of 6 kids. We faced all this trauma and uncertainty when I was 8-9 years old (my baby sister was just 2-3). Kids should NOT have to endure all this pain and suffering at the hands of the people who are supposed to love, protect and nurture them the most. Too many kids blame themselves for the chaos and failure. Others withdraw from the world because of all the abuse – many have been sexually molested or intentionally trafficked at the advantage of their parents. There are nearly 500,000 children in foster care in the USA at any given time. Their stories are as unique as they are – but the common denominator is PAIN, LOSS, SUFFERING, and MISTRUST. There is a strong longing to go back to the “family” and try to fix everything. To get back to “normal”, but unfortunately, most of them don’t know what REAL normal is. They don’t even know they have been abused. To them, beatings, arguments, and neglect are “normal.”

After surviving my own family & lifelong trauma, it has been my dream and goal to help others to have a less stressful recovery from their own trauma. I did this in my early years through my music. It was my passion for God and music that carried me through my trials and storms.”

What can we do to inspire, engage, and embrace your mission? How can we help? Why should we, as individuals who might not know anything about your mission here?

“Many traumatized children and young adults feel isolated and alone. They do not realize that there are hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of others that have been abused, neglected, and removed from their own families too.

My approach is to join social media groups with current and former foster youth and orphans – so I can share my experiences and educate them on current resources to help them through their own journeys.

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation (https://www.aecf.org/resources/cost-avoidance-the-business-case-for-investing-in-youth-aging-out-of-foster ) each year nearly 30,000 youth age out of the system without the support needed to successfully transition to adulthood. They become dependent on government programs or they wind up on the wrong side of the law. Each annual wave costs US society $8 Billion dollars! It helps the youth and society when we all help these victims overcome their challenges and learn to be autonomous and fully independent adults.

What can each of us do to help?

Find a program to support in your area – search for Foster Care, Aging Out, Youth in Transition – or go to aecf.org, iFoster.org, FosterClub.org, nyfi.org, or CarePortal.org and engage in the process somehow. Check with your local Department of Health & Human Services. Check with your local or state legislature or your church. Become a MENTOR to at-risk or aged-out youth. (SeeYouSeeYou.org or Mentoring.org) GET INVOLVED!”

Describe three words in detail that completely and mostly entail what your experience has been in the foster care system. If these three words could be heard by people of political and social power, what would the three words you feel would impact the most change and bring about the most awareness?

“Foster children are – “Displaced Traumatized VICTIMS”– they did NOT ask to be removed from their homes and families. They did NOT ASK to be abused, beaten, or neglected! They did NOT ASK to be placed in a Foster Home and change schools, lose their friends and family connections. How did YOU FEEL when the COVID-19 lockdowns destroyed YOUR daily routines? Imagine having those disruptions be PERMANENT – with no end in sight – AND BEING REMOVED FROM YOUR OWN HOME IN THE PROCESS!!!”