'Personal Growth Literacy Program For Foster Youth' Seeks Donations to Provide Books to 1,000 Foster Children This Christmas

Online, December 9, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Providing books as Christmas presents to 1,000 foster children in the Atlanta area is the goal of the 'Personal Growth Literacy Program for Foster Youth" recently kicked off by therapist and life coach Capri Cruz. Cruz spent much of her youth in foster care and is hoping to help foster children better navigate through life through her book, 'From Foster Care To FABULOUS: An Imperative Movement.'

"Many foster children feel lost and alone, and find it difficult to ask for the help they need to move forward in life," Cruz explained. "I wrote this book to help my brothers and sisters in foster care realize they are not alone, that there are people who care about them, and that they can succeed in life despite the issues they face today. The goal of the Personal Growth Literacy Program is to get the book into the hands of 1,000 foster children this Christmas."

Filled with useful information as well as exercises aimed at helping foster children find hope and envision a bright future, 'From Foster Care To FABULOUS: An Imperative Movement' details Cruz's personal challenges growing up in foster care, and offers specific suggestions and ideas to nurture personal growth and high achievement in children currently living in foster care. Cruz is a mental health therapist working with foster children in the Atlanta area, as well as a life coach and empowerment speaker.

"Now that I work within the foster care system, I see the impact a personal growth book like 'From Foster Care To FABULOUS' can have on these children," said Cruz. "They just need some guidance from a caring adult, and as an alumna of the foster care system, I care very much about these often-forgotten children. That's why I'm collecting donations to purchase 1,000 books for foster children this Christmas."

Cruz repudiates the low expectations expressed about foster youth by other professionals in the foster care system.

"I've been told that foster children don't read, and I have learned that as many as 80 percent read below grade level," she said. "This book drive can help change that by providing a book written especially for foster children, filled with guidance aimed directly at them from someone who has truly walked in their shoes."

Donations may be made at www.capricruz.com, and all funds received will go directly toward purchasing and distributing books to foster children in the Atlanta area.

"My goal is to give 1,000 foster children a book this Christmas," Cruz said. "If 100 people donate $100, we will be able to reach our goal. Of course, we appreciate donations of any amount - every dollar helps move us toward our goal of getting books into the hands of the children who really need help believing their lives can be fabulous."

Donations also may be made by mail. Checks payable to Capri Cruz Literacy Program may be sent to P.O. Box 88294, Atlanta, GA, 30356. More information on the program can be found at www.capricruz.com as well as Personal Growth Literacy Program for Foster Youth on Facebook.