Reflecting on Thanksgiving Together 2024

For youth who have experienced foster care firsthand, the holidays can be a painful reminder of loss and lack of family support. For this reason, ACTION Ohio hosts annual early Thanksgiving Together gatherings for current and former foster youth. This annual celebration began in 2007 and has continued ever since. As former foster youth ourselves, we want our brothers and sisters of the system to know that they always have a seat at the table for Thanksgiving. 

In 2024, three Thanksgiving Together celebrations took place in NE, SW and Central Ohio. Each event included resource tables, handmade blankets and other giveaways. Participants were welcome to sign their name on fabric leaves, which were ironed onto a Chosen Family Tree. They were also invited to participate in the Open Mic portion by sharing something they are grateful for and/or one of their recent accomplishments. Their personal progress and valuable insights were applauded.  

2024 was a unique and challenging year, in that four Ohio former foster care alumni lost their lives. Two to medical conditions, one to an act of violence, and one to a traffic accident. A caring foster parent lost her life to an act of violence as well. For this reason, Remembrance Tables were made available for participants to express grief through creative activities. Thanks to Kim Kehl of the Department of Children and Youth, grief counselors volunteered their time at all three dinners to provide trauma-informed care.

Joy overshadowed loss, and participants were empowered through connection with resources. Former foster youth who are now parents received supplies such diapers, bottles and baby clothes. The Northeast and Central Thanksgiving Together events included gift baskets filled with personal care items, kitchenware, towels and bedding, household tools, and other necessities for first apartments. There were to-go containers for leftover meals.

The event provided opportunities to support OHIO YAB youth leadership development as well. Lyric Ruffin helped plan and prepare for the NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together. Yavian Webster emceed the Central Ohio Thanksgiving Together event. Liz Blanchard created a documentary about this annual event for a college class assignment. She interviewed a series of long-time participants, inviting them to talk about what Thanksgiving Together means to them.

2024 Central OH Thanksgiving Together

2024 Central Ohio Thanksgiving Together for current and former foster youth took place on Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, at the Reynoldsburg High School’s Summit Campus, 8579 Summit Road, Reynoldsburg OH 43068.

Link to more photos. 

This event was made possible by support from the Dave Thomas Foundation, Reynoldsburg City Schools, the Leo Club, Temple Israel Columbus, the Tzedakah Collective, Beth Tikvah’s Sisterhood, Randi Lewis, the Junior League of Columbus, Velda Hofacker, Kristin Gilbert, Laura Gaines and My Very Own Blanket.

2024 SW Ohio Thanksgiving Together

2024 Southwest Ohio Thanksgiving Together for current and former foster youth took place on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2400 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Link to more photos.

This event was made possible by support from United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Midwestern Plumbing Service, Easley Blessed Foundation, NOaR, Velda Hofacker and My Very Own Blanket.

2024 NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together

2024 Northeast Ohio Thanksgiving Together for current and former foster youth took place on Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at the North Canton Chapel, 715 Whittier Ave. NW, North Canton OH 44720.

Link to more photos. 

The dinner included a meta-moment, when three participants recreated a photos from 2013 NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together. Same pose, 11 years later.

This event was made possible due to support from Melanie Montgomery of Hope Bridge and My Very Own Blanket. OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Lyric Ruffin also dedicated her time to help plan and prepare for this event.

2024 Foster to College Scholarship Testimony

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, ACTION Ohio member Gabriella Craft gave legislative testimony before the Senate Finance Committee about the need for the state of Ohio to establish Foster to College Scholarships.

Link to individual photos.

Remembering Nikki, ACTION Ohio's Residential Liaison

Nikki Chinn's Spooktacular Celebration of Life took place on Friday, November 8, 2024 at the Whetstone Park of Roses. Mal worked incredibly hard to enact Nikki Chinn’s specific instructions. Nikki’s attention to detail was unparalleled, so this was no easy task. Thank you, Mal, for reflecting your love for Nikki in this way.

When facing a terminal medical condition, people react and respond in different ways. For Nikki Chinn, this took the form of dark humor and taking control of the situation. Participants commented that it felt like Nikki was there. They could tell that she wanted them to party in the face of death and to remember her fearless strength.

Participants shared what they love and remember about Nikki - stories about her advocacy and how how their lives intersected with hers. The most painful part was watching a young family member of Nikki’s cry. He is currently in foster care, and she was always his fiercest advocate. She even recorded her voice on a Build-a-Bear so that part of her would be with him.

FAN Presentation for The Ohio State University

On Friday, November 8, 2024, Gabriella Craft and Lisa Dickson presented at The Ohio State University about the Fostering Achievement Network. Over 20 future champions showed up to be of support. 

Link to more photos.

Link to slides from presentation.

Link to video of what Lisa shared.

Caidyn Bearfield Receives the Nikki Chinn Champion of Change Award

On Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, Caidyn Bearfield was awarded the Nikki Chinn Champion of Change Award.  Caidyn's dedication to creating positive change is reflected by many things, including:

• Her testimony during the 2020 Columbus Foster Care Forum.
• Her legislative testimony about the importance of establishing a Youth Ombudsman Office
• Her speech during the 2024 Statehouse Rally about the need for Foster to College Scholarships

In the giving of this award, we were also all reminded of the legacy of Nikki Chinn. Her fierce and fearless heart, her protectiveness of youth who experience abuse, and her brilliant brain that always remembered every detail and was able to create countless lists of resources for others. 

Link to more photos.