Siblings: Shared Lived Experiences
They say the Chinese say, “Thank the gods you can choose your family because the devil chooses your family”.
I see things differently.
Especially when it comes to siblings.
Our siblings are not as much like the stars in the firmament but rather the planets in our orbit who spin and travel at speeds up to 100,000 Kms per hour around the sun as we soar through the universe. Not too far away but also not colliding with us.
As Kahlil Gibran wrote once “And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart”
Mural presented signifying the experience of living in the Foster Care system before aging out at the Annual International Foster Care Alliance Youth Summit where US aged out youth present along side Japan aged out youth from the same system.
Leyda Garcia-Greenawalt:Passionate advocate for children's rights and social justice with a robust background in law, social work, and research. As a Juris Doctor and Civitas Child Law Fellow from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, coupled with a Master of Social Work with a Concentration in Leadership and Social Change from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, I bring a unique blend of legal expertise and compassionate understanding to my work. My professional journey has been shaped by a dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly children entangled in the family regulation and juvenile legal systems.
Beyond my professional endeavors, I've actively contributed to the academic and policy discourse surrounding family regulation issues. I've published research shedding light on critical intersections such as incarcerated women's experiences with the child welfare system and the impact of immigration policies on vulnerable youth.
My commitment to advocacy extends beyond the courtroom and academia. I've served on the boards of organizations like OMNI Youth Services and Illinois CASA, where I've leveraged my expertise to influence policy and effect systemic change. Notably, my legislative advocacy efforts have played a role in the passage of crucial bills aimed at improving the lives of foster youth and alumni.
With a track record of leadership, advocacy, and scholarly contributions, I am eager to continue making a meaningful impact in the realm of child welfare and social justice. Whether in the courtroom, the boardroom, or the legislative arena, I am driven by a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
“We spent a lifetime in the Foster Care system reminding everyone of our own humanity”
Veronica Krupnick: is a Youth & Tribal Advocate and Leader (Hopi/Jemez/Navajo) within the local, state and national child welfare community. After serving for 4 years as the Mentorship, Advocacy and Peer Support Program Coordinator at CASA First (Court-Appointed Special Advocates, First Judicial District), Veronica now serves as the Vice President of the organization’s Board of Directors. In the of Fall 2022, Veronica began her venture into the New Mexico Legislature, first serving as a campaign assistant, then the Senate Liaison, and now as the Majority Leadership Analyst for the New Mexico House of Representatives Majority Office.
Veronica returned home to New Mexico, after graduating from Fort Lewis College in 2017, to follow her passion for supporting and working alongside young people involved and impacted by the child welfare system. Having been through the child welfare system herself, Veronica is passionate about preventative services, lived experience voice, and advocating for the holistic well-being of children, youth, and families. Her current child welfare advocacy includes serving as a senior member of the National Foster Youth and Alumni Policy Council, a member of the National Child Welfare and Racial Equity Collaborative, and as Co-Chair of the Training Committee for the New Mexico Partners.
Japan aged out youth also presented. I was touched that one of the youth I met at the YouMeWe Gala in November 2023 sat next to me at lunch to explain their name had changed. I was curious to know more. I did not know if there had been an adoption or marriage. But it was explained to me that the name change was to make them more in line with the gender they were comfortable identifying with. I wanted to make sure I understood what I was being told and confirmed by saying, “OK, so my pronouns are he/him, does this mean your pronouns have now changed?” So he explained that his are now he/him. And I was happy he felt comfortable seeking me out to share this news and told he would be presenting in the afternoon session which I sat in on.
WannaGonna https://www.wannagonna.org/ presented on the project to take the Transition Toolkit from a paper-based product to online with the app that has been developed in collaboration with Code Chrysalis YouMeWe had a small part in making the connection between WannaGonna who does amazing work in collaboration to help NPOs with solutions such as the above.
A question was asked from the audience about the treatment of siblings in Foster Care in the United States as allegedly in Japan it is discouraged to continue the relationship with siblings as it is seem more beneficial for the child to lean into their new family and environment rather than to have the connection with the family they come from and their siblings.
Veronica is the oldest of 9 siblings and Leyda, the oldest of 6. They explained that in the United States, where are there are no orphanages, they are separated into Foster Care families and in some instances are not only separated but sent to different geographical parts of the country. To stay in touch is difficult and to remain bonded even more so distressing.
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I personally have a total of about 13 siblings between marriages of half and step siblings. Many years ago a donor made mention that the Masons give to charity and I should make a connection with them. I mentioned my great grandfather was a mason and went home that night to prove the connection on Ancestry.com. I never knew my biological father but discovered through the links on the site that he was still alive and had remarried. And…to my surprise…..I had even more siblings I was not aware of at the age of 48.
I decided, as a father, that if I was 68 and had a child I did not know, I would always wonder. So I sent a baby picture and my business card to his address on the internet. A week or so later, I had a LinkedIn invitation from one of my siblings Mandy. I met her on LinkedIn….I felt that was very modern. She wrote, “Are you the Michael Clemons we have been looking for?” While this was February 2016, December 2015, they had heard about me for the first time and tried to find me by looking for my late mother on Facebook. Hitting a brickwall had given up until my letter had arrived from Japan.
We connected and I travelled to meet both of these younger sisters and the bond has been strong every since.
Blood truly is thicker than water and to be in connection with your siblings is one of the greatest comforts as we have shared lived experiences.
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At YouMeWe we mentor children until they reach the age of adulthood and then coach them. I had been mentoring a multicultural child who had English until he reached the age of ten and entered the orphanage but was losing his English as he was in a purely Japanese environment. He is the reason YouMeWe sought out and connected with www.nightzookeeper.com as a software for him to keep engaged with the English language.
In 2019, we held our summer camp and another multicultural boy was there from a different orphanage. He asked if his brother was joining. I asked who is brother was and immediately became overwhelmed to learn that he was the sibling of my student. We are trained not to ask personal questions, so I did not realize he had a brother and that they were living apart. I had to leave the room when I learned this. I became too emotional to continue the conversation.
It took my about 24 hours to recompose myself to ask the next day at camp to the respective home representatives why the boys lived apart. Neither knew and it became clear that this has been decided at level either above or away from them so it was not questioned.
I then spoke to a brother and sister who were at the camp from a different home just to have the sister tell me her twin was at a different home. I am the father of twin daughters, I could not only imagine being separated from my siblings in my youth but to me it was and is unfathomable to image in daughters not living together.
Before my children were born, I looked into adopting siblings from the Ukraine with the idea of keeping them together. This became more difficult.
Yet, as I step back and look at the work we are doing, one of the homes we work with has 5 sets of siblings. We see them every week and it is highly satisfying that we are not only working with them as individuals but also watching them grow up together in a protected environment next to their brothers and sisters.
As Kahlil Gibran further wrote,
“Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.”
Welcome our new intern: Amber!
Welcome, Amber! 🌟
Our newest intern is here to make a difference. Passionate about education equality, Amber will be supporting our mission for the next ten weeks. Let's empower together! #YouMeWe #EducationImpact #NewIntern
Special Thanks to Blue Compass
We would like to thank Blue Compass for their generous donation ! Learn more about Blue Compass on their website: https://bluecompass.info
Special Thanks to ANSYS
We would like to thank ANSYS for their generous donation of over 20 laptops! Learn more about ANSYS on their website: https://www.ansys.com
Celebrating Our Partnership with Global Giving
At YouMeWe, our mission is to support institutionalized children by empowering them to become independent and productive members of society by fostering education. For over a decade, we have worked tirelessly to provide these children with the tools they need for success. This mission has been significantly strengthened through our valued partnership with Global Giving. Their continuous support has enabled us to expand our reach, enhance our programs, and create a lasting impact on the lives of the kids.
Global Giving is the world’s largest crowdfunding platform, connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies worldwide. Since 2002, they have provided nonprofits with the tools, training, and network needed to enhance their effectiveness in fundraising and program delivery. Their mission to foster a community of global changemakers has resonated with our values, making this partnership truly transformative.
Our collaboration with Global Giving has been key in driving our programs forward. Together, we’ve been able to:
Promote Digital Literacy: By equipping children with modern technical skills, we help them stay current with today’s technology, opening doors to better education and career opportunities.
Develop Communication Skills: Through language lessons, writing programs, and cultural exchanges, we empower children to express themselves with confidence and engage meaningfully with others.
Foster Connectedness: Through mentoring programs and online exchanges, children learn to collaborate with peers and adults locally and globally, building a strong support network for their future.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on our journey, we are filled with gratitude for Global Giving and our community of donors. Together, we are transforming the lives of children who face financial and emotional challenges, enabling them to achieve goals such as attending university, entering technical school, or securing meaningful employment by the age of 18.
Your support can make an even bigger difference. Join us to:
• Volunteer your skills to guide children on their path to independence.
https://youmewenpo.org/how-to-volunteer
• Donate to support programs that foster successful futures for youth.
Together, WE can ensure that more children have the opportunity to thrive as independent and contributing members of their communities.
A Warm Thank You to JLL! ✨
We would like to thank JLL for their generous donation of 20 laptops! This donation will help us open up exciting new learning opportunities for institutionalized children and help them reach their full potential. Learn more about JLL on their website: www.joneslanglasalle.co.jp/
Territory Mapping with Anthony Willoughby
We had an amazing introduction to the territory mapping exercise with https://lnkd.in/g7q3sh-K with Anthony Willoughby at St. Francis.
Sharing and Caring 2024
We were reminded when we doubled our Sharing and Caring Program this year that we are all here to walk each other home.
This year we asked all the friends and supporters of our Donor Circle to participate and the result was not just better, it was spectacularly better.
We are also reminded that children are born as pure love.
We delivered hundreds of boxes to children in Japan, Philippines and Brazil. The love and care that went into each box was only matched by the surprise and joy of each child who opened up and was reminded of the most important message.
We are all here to touch each others lives and that we matter.
The feeling of how they felt this year will be remembered for years to come.
Thanks to You….Me and We.
YouMeWe Joins the Fostering Higher Education Initiative!
We’re thrilled to announce that YouMeWe is partnering with the Fostering Higher Education (FHE) program to support foster youth in achieving their academic dreams!
The FHE program provides critical resources and guidance to youth transitioning from high school or GED programs to postsecondary education, offering unique support through:
Education Goal Planning
Identifying & Overcoming Challenges in Higher Ed
Personalized Mentoring
This event is all about empowering young people to overcome barriers and create brighter futures. At YouMeWe, we believe every young adult deserves a chance to thrive, and we’re proud to stand alongside this impactful program!
Stay tuned for updates from the event and stories of the incredible youth we’re here to support!
December 11
This day was filled with love and giving
We're incredibly grateful to our amazing partners at Titan Consulting and all the dedicated volunteers who helped us wrap up 40 gifts for the kids at Koubo Aijien orphanage in Kanagawa.
We also packed 25 gifts for the children at Hikari no Kodomo in Saitama. And guess what? Our friends at the post office are starting to recognize us!
But the joy doesn't stop there! This year, we're spreading the Christmas cheer all the way to Brazil, with over 30 gifts heading to Viva la Vida orphanage in Suzano.
Want to be part of this magic?
Donate: Your gift can bring a smile to a child's face. https://goto.gg/67562
Volunteer: Join us in spreading joy and making a difference. Email us at [email protected]
Share: Help us reach more children in need.
Together, we can make this Christmas unforgettable!
#YouMeWe #SharingAndCaring #ChristmasJoy #GiveBack #Volunteer #Donate
Pizza Party at Tokyo Katei Gakko!
A huge thank you to Chee Ming Loh and Keiji Nakamura for making pizzas with the kids! With this event, the home received a Brand- new pizza oven, giving the children a space to bake, cook, and share stories together.
We at YouMeWe believe cooking and baking isn’t just about food it’s about connection, creativity, and community. Here’s to more moments of joy and togetherness!
Thank You for Your Generosity on #GivingTuesday!
This #GivingTuesday, you showed us the power of generosity and community. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised over to drive positive change and create opportunities for those who need them most.
Your donations will have a direct impact on [specific goal, e.g., “providing education, resources, and support to young individuals striving for a brighter future”]. Every dollar you contributed brings us closer to achieving our mission and ensuring that [specific outcome, e.g., “these youth have the tools they need to succeed”].
We’re inspired by your kindness and commitment to making a difference. It’s supporters like you who make our work possible and give hope to so many.
Stay tuned for updates on how your generosity is making an impact—we can’t wait to share the stories of change you’ve helped create.
Thank you for believing in us and being a part of this journey. Together, we’re making a difference!
Do you know what the Orange Ribbon means?
The "Orange Ribbon Campaign" is a citizens' movement that calls for the elimination of child abuse by spreading the orange ribbon as a symbol of child abuse prevention .
Through the Orange Ribbon Campaign, we aim to spread awareness of the current state of child abuse,
raise awareness of the issue among many people, and build an abuse-free society through a citizen network.
At YouMeWe, we have a Child Safety Policy. We will also be participating in the Orange Ribbon Event at Tokyo Tower this Saturday.
1/3 of the children in the homes are happy where they are. This is the population YouMeWe is focused on but once learning this, we realized that 2/3rds of the children are also needing attention. 1/3 do not feel they have a voice. Hence we have partnered with IFCA (International Foster Care Alliance) and 1/3 want to be reunited with their families therefore we have partnered with Youkikai which has a program to not only prevent child abuse by taking test and focusing red flags but also how to retrain parents who have a chance to get their children back. We have started the project to create a Social Impact Bond to address this. It costs 100,000,000 JPY to have a child in care from 2 to 18 years old and we strive to get local government approval to allow us to raise the funds, pay back the bond holders with a return not only financially but vis a vis Social Impact return. This can save the government millions in projected costs but also helps break the three generational childhood trauma cycle. We have also partnered with TELL to have a speaker series for the staff in the homes to understand the intricacies of caring for children who are A.C.E. (Adverse Childhood Experience) survivors.
Child Safety Policy
A Child Safety Policy highlights the importance of actions taken in regards to a witnessed incident of abuse. This policy asks for details that can help the organization understand the incident: time, location, child involved, and perpetrator. All of these steps must be followed in a timely manner to ensure the safety and the voice of the child.
児童虐待の状況に遭遇したときに、どのような対応をすればよいのかを知って行動に移すことが重要であると考え、Child Safety Policyを作成することにしました。そのため、Child Safety Policyでは基本的に、虐待がいつどこで発生したかや、虐待をされた子どもの情報など、虐待の詳細をお聞きしています。これらのすべてのステップは、事件の状況下で子供が発言権を持っているかをいち早く確認する方法としてとても大切です
Background from Global Giving:
Introduction The first Child Safeguarding Standards were launched over 12 years ago by a coalition of relief and development charities that later became known as Keeping Children Safe. Since then there has been a growing recognition that, as well as risks to children from staff and associates, inappropriately designed programs and poor operational management can also create the possibility of risks to children. Keeping Children Safe represents a commitment by those working in this sector to ensure that their organizations “do no harm” and that they meet the responsibilities set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect children from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence. Drawing on the knowledge and experience of experts, Keeping Children Safe developed the Keeping Children Safe Standards, which was supported by a comprehensive Toolkit for implementing the Standards. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the independent expert for the UN study on violence against children, acknowledged the importance of the Toolkit, stating that: “It offers an excellent opportunity not only for the improvement of the quality and professionalism of those working with children but most importantly, it will help to achieve a greater impact for children.” Since it was first published, hundreds of organizations and thousands of professionals worldwide have used the Toolkit. The increasing demand for the Toolkit reflects the growing recognition by organizations, which work with, impact on, or come into contact with children, that they have a responsibility to keep them safe. What is child safeguarding? Child safeguarding is the responsibility that organizations have to make sure their staff, operations, and programs do no harm to children, that is that they do not expose children to the risk of harm and abuse and that any concerns the organization has about children’s safety within the communities in which they work are reported to the appropriate authorities. “Do no harm” is a principle that has been used in the humanitarian sector but can equally be applied to the development field. It refers to organizations’ responsibility to minimize the harm they may be doing inadvertently as a result of their organizational activities.
グローバル・ギビングの背景
はじめに 最初の子どもの保護基準は、12年以上前に、後にKeeping Children Safeとして知られるようになった 自由と開発慈善の連合によって立ち上げられました。それ以来、職員や関係者による子どもへのリスクだけでなく、不適切に設計されたプログラムや不十分な運営管理によっても子どもたちにリスクが生じる可能性があることが認識されるようになってきました。Keeping Children Safe は、この分野で働く人々が、自分たちの組織が“子供に害を及ぼさない”ことを保証し、あらゆる形態の虐待、ネグレクト、搾取、暴力から子どもを守るために、児童の権利に関する条約（Convention on the Rights of the Child）を果たすことを約束しています。専門家の知識と経験をもとに、Keeping Children SafeはKeeping Children Safe Standardsを作成し、それを実施するための包括的なツールキットによってサポートされています。子どもへの暴力に関する国連調査の独立専門家であったパウロ・セルジオ・ピネイロは、このツールキットの重要性を認め、次のように述べています。"このツールキットは、子どもたちと関わる人々の質と専門性を向上させるだけでなく、最も重要なことは、子どもたちのためのより大きな影響力を達成するのに役立つ素晴らしい機会を提供します”。初めて発表されて以来、世界中の何百もの組織と何千もの専門家がツールキットを使用してきました。このツールキットの需要が高まっているのは、子どもを扱う組織、子どもに影響を与える組織、子どもと接触する組織が、子どもの安全を守る責任があるという認識が高まっていることを反映しています。児童保護とは何ですか？児童保護とは、組織のスタッフ、業務、プログラムが子どもに危害を加えないようにする責任、すなわち、子どもを危害や虐待の危険にさらさないようにする責任であり、組織が活動する地域社会における子どもの安全について懸念がある場合には、適切な団体に報告する責任です。"危害を加えないこと”は、人道的な分野で使われてきた原則ですが、開発の分野でも同様に適用できます。これは、組織の活動の結果として不用意に行う可能性のある危害を最小限に抑える組織の責任を指しています。
CHILD SAFETY POLICY
New Intern! Welcome Ayaan Ali
Hello! My name is Ayaan, and I’m excited to be joining YouMeWe as an intern for the next six weeks. Born and raised in Cambridge, I’m currently taking a gap year before pursuing a degree in law, using this time to contribute meaningfully to causes I’m passionate about. I’m especially drawn to YouMeWe’s mission of empowering students from institutionalised homes through digital literacy, life skills, and a sense of community. Working with a Tokyo-based nonprofit dedicated to child welfare and societal betterment aligns closely with my values, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from the team while supporting young individuals on their paths to independence.
Carbine Club 4th year in a row
We are extremely thankful to the Carbine Club who has made YouMeWe the recipient of their generous fundraising on the day of the famous Melbourne Cup. Not only is it a day to celebrate the coming together of members in Tokyo but also to dress up and watch the race from hats to heels for the ladies and now some of the men…. The funds raised go towards our Life Connection courses which involve sports, team building and the Designing Artists Academy which we hold annually.
A great day was held with many prizes offered for the raffle including Cathay Pacific’s give away of two economy class tickets roundtrip to Hong Kong and a two nights stay at The Regent.
A speech was given by Michael Perry-Clemons, Founder of YouMeWe:
“As many of you may know I was asked to play Santa for an orphanage in 2007 and I never really left.
What really cemented our desire to help the kids was a trip we made to Disneyland where we were paired off with two ten year old boys
When it came time for the visit to the Disney Store, whilst many kids were throwing things over their shoulders into their carts, our kids did not want to go in or ask for anything.
To me this seemed unnatural and at the same time made me want to do more for kids that do not ask for anything.
Those boys would be 27 year old men now. And we are reminded that these are not marginallzed kids but maximizeable children who need to feel like something bigger than themselves.
Over the 17 years we have been working in the homes, it only occurred to my recently that we may be the only consistency these children have as we visit them every week and or have online classes all over Japan and now Philippines and Brazil. as the principals retire and the staff rotate, we are there every single week.
We teach about 3 dozen children weekly; coding or English or helping them in person or online with their homework. We give them scholarships for university and help them find jobs AND are available to coach them into adulthood.
We also have been holding a summer camp since 2008 here they experienced kick boxing, futsal and soon will be going to a Marinos game in December.
Thanks to the Carbine club in our fourth year we have raised well over ¥3,000,000, Last year we were able to give over 350 christmas presents to the kids we support. We hope to double that this year.
In Summary, I wanted to ask:
Did you ever realize that how many orphans are the protagonist in the movies and cartoons we watch?
Harry Potter, Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Elsa from Frozen, even Kung Fu Panda there is something about us as audience where we are cheering for the one making his/her way on their own.
Yet, Harry Potter had various teachers, Superman had his human parents, Spiderman had his aunt....they all also had an adult who looked out for them and helped them become the best version of themselves.
As the future rushes at the children we remind them to to dwell on how their lives started but how they want their lives to end up. And if you do not know what you want, imagine what you do want and then what the opposite of that is.
And come back to the now and focus on what you need to get done in order to happen.
How all any of us have is the NOW...and the depth of our experiences go deeper than the length of our lives. All the more reason to lean into the now....which is another word for the present which is another word for gift.
Thank you very much.”
It’s GameWeek at YouMeWe!
For children in the 21st Century who will live until the 22nd Century, the question of “what is worth learning?” comes to mind again and again. What will never change, however, is communication; collaboration and creativity with an emphasis on`CREATE and being the CREATOR of our own lives. The children we work with did not have a choice about the circumstances they were born into. Yet, we like to help them unlock the ability to imagine the life they want to evolve into by producing games from a blank canvas. When is the last time you did something for the first time?
This week, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on the inspiring creations of children who have been learning to code through YouMeWe’s coding lessons! Over the next nine days, we’ll be featuring a different game each day across all our social media platforms. These games are more than just a fun project—each one reflects the hard work, creativity, and new technical skills these young learners have developed.
Each game showcased is a testament to the journey these young people are on—becoming the next generation of digital citizens and tech innovators. We invite you to join us in celebrating their hard work and creativity! Stay tuned to see their unique stories and innovative ideas come to life in their games. Follow along and cheer them on as they take on their future, one line of code at a time!
Capgemini
A big thank you to the Capgemini volunteers for their second visit to St. Francis! Your support in guiding our learners through digital skills has been invaluable. We appreciate your time, expertise, and the positive impact you’re making in our community. Looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the future! #CommunitySupport #DigitalLearning #CapgeminiVolunteers #StFrancis
Halloween Event at Christmas Village with JP Morgan!
We joined JP Morgan at a Halloween event they held at Christmas Village, where the kids made Piñatas and learned about various countries! We would like to thank JP Morgan and Christmas Village for having us at the event and are looking forward to participating again in the future.
Bringing Joy to children This Holiday Season: A Heartfelt Thank You to Societe Generale!
At YouMeWe NPO, we believe that every child deserves to experience the magic of the holiday season, especially those without families to celebrate with. That’s why we launched the Sharing & Caring Project, aimed at bringing joy to orphans across Japan through thoughtful gifts and community support.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that Societe Generale in Tokyo has stepped up to make a significant difference. Their dedication and enthusiasm have been nothing short of inspiring. We recently held a workshop at their Tokyo office, and it was incredible to see their team come together to support the children we serve.
Special thanks to Junna Ichiyanagi, Stephane Roger, Joachim Ferrari, Julien M., and the entire team for their hard work and generosity. Your efforts will ensure that orphans across Japan feel the love and care they deserve during this special time of year.
But the work doesn’t stop here—this is just the beginning. If your company is looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season, we’d love to collaborate with you. By joining our Sharing & Caring Project, you can make a real difference in the lives of these children.
Interested in learning more about how you can help? Please feel free to message us at [email protected]. Together, we can spread joy and make this holiday season one to remember for every child.
Let’s come together as a community and show these children they are loved!
