North Bay Woman

S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 31 Claudia Asprer (left) has served as a foster mother to more than 90 children. – Photo courtesy of Claudia Asprer Raising Kids to be Productive, Self-Assured Adults Giving kids roots and an identity while 'Movin' on up' By Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT laudia Asprer is the real deal. She fostered more than 90 kids over 19 years herself. She is also the creator of "Movin' On up," a local organization support- ing emancipated foster youth, changing the lives of many kids who could have easily fallen through society's cracks. Movin' On up fill the gaps for foster kids transitioning from high through college and productive adult life. Possibly adrift emotionally and psychologically, youth in the system are offered a firm stepping stone in which they are helped via tutoring, educational plan tracking and accountability. Asprer also offers a housing portion for those who are in a local community college; they have seven spaces between two homes where the students are held accountable in a home environment. Asprer proudly speaks of the 12 youth under her watch over the years who have graduated college and gone on to become thriving, successful, self-assured adults. Her secret sauce These are the "foundations of success" she uses as guideposts to be as effective as she is. ■ Love Them ■ Believe in Them ■ Provide Structure ■ Discipline Them ■ Stay the Course Though true that all kids benefit from the above, it's import- ant to remember that Asprer's fostered youth population likely needs more TLC than most. Many of them may have experienced trauma or adverse life situations. If the teen has been abandoned or abused, trust might not come easy. "Staying the course" with them would possibly not be for the faint of heart. Firm boundaries are crucial with the more hostile and resistant teens. Those who do not follow the >> con't on pg. 40 C

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