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.