Meet Sade Bradford-Bond of Free Foster Care Books in Avondale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sade Bradford-Bond.

Sade, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I spent about seven years in the Michigan foster care system. During that time, I struggled with low self-esteem and rejection because I believed that no one wanted me. In adolescence, I discovered that I did two things really well: I could write and talk a lot. I used those skills to hide my personal feelings related to being a foster kid.

In my early twenties, I decided that I would pursue a career in social services because I had a passion for helping people. Foster care had always been a unique part of my story. So, in 2017, I published my first book, “Hope That Remains,” to encourage anyone who experienced foster care.

This past May, I noticed that some of my foster care alumni peers were having a hard time during the pandemic. They were struggling with isolation, loneliness, and overall not feeling connected. Foster kids often have challenges with having access to supportive people in their lives. I decided to give away about 35 extra copies of my first book to help those who were struggling. I received a positive response and decided to formally start a non-profit organization, Free Foster Care Books, Inc., to help support members of the foster care community. Today, I have currently published about ten books, including four books that support the foster care community, three children’s learning books, and a few journals. My personal goal is to change the world. But first, the change has to start with me!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think that if you live life long enough, you are going to face challenges! Most of my struggles have been internal. I have battled with negative thoughts as a result of my childhood experiences! When I was younger, I used to always think that the things that I did was never good enough and that I didn’t have any reason to set goals because I would fail anyway. Negative thinking is probably one of the biggest challenges that I have faced in my life. Even up to today, I have to force myself to think positive and focus on the good things in life. Sometimes, I have to tell myself over and over that, today will be a good day. I say positive words so I can think positive thoughts and then do positive things!

Please tell us about Free Foster Care Books.
Free Foster Care Books, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides books and resources to members of the foster care community. We believe that every foster kid deserves to thrive in life. The mission of FFCB is to give away 1 million books to members of the foster care community to assist them with living productive, positive, and stable lives.

FFCB provides free books and resources to members of the foster care community in three primary ways:
1. By providing coupon codes online that can be redeemed for free books through the FCCB website.
2. By partnering with youth-serving organizations both locally in Arizona and nationally to disperse books and other resources.
3. By offering free digital pdf book downloads online at the FFCB.

I hope that people who experienced foster care will have a better outlook on life after getting a free book or resource through FFCB. People need to know that someone cares about them. FFCB cares and we won’t stop until impact everyone who experienced foster care!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve heard that timing is everything! If the Covid-19 pandemic would not have happened, I don’t think that I would have had the thought to give out books for free to foster kids! Partially, because I don’t think that I would have recognized the need in a meaningful enough way to start. With all of the irony in the world, the pandemic led me to start Free Foster Care Books, Inc.

Pricing:

• Donate 1 Book for a Foster Kid: $8.00
• Donate 5 Books for Foster Kids: $40.00
• Donate 10 Books for Foster Kids: $80.00

Contact Info:

• Website: www.freefostercarebooks.org
• Phone: 602-782-9538
• Email: info@freefostercarebooks.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/freefostercarebooks
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/freefostercarebooks

  Image Credit:
Sade Bradford-Bond

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