“The Only Place I’ve Been Heard”: Faith’s Story at Good Dirt
For Faith, the Mud Girls program became more than a place where she could work and be creative. It became a place where she could begin to let her guard down and discover what it felt like to be listened to and believed. “I felt for the first time outside my small...
Founder’s Stories: The Collins Family
How Foster Youth Thrive When Someone Stays https://youtu.be/Drp32pI8CgE For the Collins family, foster care did not begin with a plan. It began by paying attention to the needs in their own neighborhood. Barry and Jorden Collins were raising their two children when...
From Foster Care to Fresno State: Michel’s Story of Hope and Perseverance
"When I was a kid, I never saw a lot of hope in my life… I never thought I would be here standing at Fresno State.” Hope after foster care can feel impossible to imagine when you are living through uncertainty, loss, and disappointment. For Michel, that hope did not...
Founder’s Stories: The Jackson Family
Why Connection Matters for Foster Youth “I feel like every girl who has experienced trauma like that just needs someone that knows that they care,” Olive said. “They need a parent that loves them and cares for them and knows that they are important in this world.”...
Inside the Mud Girls Studio: Stories of Healing, Growth, and Belonging
At Good Dirt Collective, young women impacted by foster care are discovering healing, confidence, and community through creativity, mentorship, and consistent care. Their voices tell the story best of what it means to be seen, supported, and slowly begin to believe in...
How Mentorship Changes Lives: Lizzie’s Story
“I had to take the bus to go to the grocery store,” Lizzie remembered. “So I got all these groceries and then I'm like, ‘Oh no, what do I do?’ I couldn't carry all of them, but I really needed food.” In that moment she did something that had never felt easy before. ...
When Grace Meets Grit: Angie’s Journey with the Mud Girls Program
Angie’s story shows how Good Dirt Collective’s Mud Girls program supports young women aging out of foster care through grace-based employment, mentorship, and accountability. The Challenge for Young Women Aging Out of Foster Care For many young women coming out of the...
“I’ve Never Cried Happy Tears Until Now”: Sonia’s Story in the Mud Girls Program
Sonia’s story shows how the Mud Girls program at Good Dirt Collective creates a safe, supportive community for young women aging out of foster care. Through mentorship, work experience, and meaningful relationships, Sonia discovered something she hadn’t felt in a long...
Why Good Dirt Collective Exists
Thousands of youth age-out of California's foster care system per year, with no place to call home.
%
A third of aged-out youth have been in three or more foster care placements.
%
Less than half of the children in the foster care system in California will be adopted
%
Just over half of the youth in foster care graduate from high school, many with an equivalency diploma
Ongoing Impact
Children Received Free Pottery Classes
At-Risk Youth Gained Work Experience Through Internships At Good Dirt Pottery Studio
People Have Been Invited To Engage In Foster Care And Adoption
Hours Of Dignified Work For Young Women Affected By Foster Care
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
We gladly welcome you to visit, call, or email us to learn more about Good Dirt Collective and the work which helps at-risk children find hope and meaning through the art of clay.
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