Tanya Cooper
Book "Surviving Foster Care and Making it work for you" by Tanya Cooper
Book "Surviving Foster Care and Making it work for you" by Tanya Cooper
"Citizens of Change"
Biography
Tanya Cooper’s life in foster care began at five due to her birth mother’s addiction and neglect and would eventually end with her being separated from all but one of her siblings! Aging out of the foster care system at 18 with no family and place to go, Tanya signed herself back in until age 21!
While in care she survived being abused by two foster brothers.
Being a fighter, and working against all odds she was able to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology for two years and would eventually find herself then being sent off to Paris to model.
Her life mission is to change the lives of children by teaching youth to "Take charge of their lives, you are your only hero!”
She has over 14 years of experience working with youth as a clinician, and over 22 years as a youth counselor and teacher throughout various communities.
Tanya has done some extraordinary things throughout her life; from former Runway Model, Writer, substance abuse Counselor, Motivational speaker and currently, Podcast Talk show host, “On The Town”, Standup Comedian & freelance journalist!
Wearing many hats, she believes you should never stop learning and you should always be in charge of your destiny!
Graduating from New York University, with a B.A.S in Culture & Communications, she also received her CASAC-T through The National Council of Alcohol & Drug Dependence in White Plains, NY, where sat on the committee for five years.
Currently Tanya travels around the Country as a Motivational speaker encouraging foster kids to rise above adversity!
Previous speaking engagements:
Westchester Social Workers Association
Fun Annual Family Day – 800 families-DSS in Rye Playland
Fox Lane High School
Taste of Arizona Event
Arizona Foster Parents
Ohio State University – Foster Youth conference
M.A.RF.Y – (Maryland),
Westchester County Family Courts 3rdAnnual Foster Care Month Celebration
(The Hon. Kathy E. Davidson)
Children’s Village/Rev. Holby
St. Chris and NCADD Award Dinner
FosterKidsUnite – “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”
FosterKidsUnite – “Renewing Hope in Foster Kids”
FosterKidsUnite – “Aging Out Panel” 2016, 2017, 2018
St. Joseph Seniors
Family ties/Westchester County advocate for 211
Her book, "Surviving Foster Care & Making It Work for You", is a Self-help book giving foster kids tips on getting through the system, (Available at Amazon.com).
“The book is what Oprah would call and Ah moment,” giving lessons Tanya learned while in care so that when they age out, they are not afraid but ready, eager and excited!”
“My goal is to change the attitude & face of kids in foster care, one kid at a time and teach them to go back and help others in care!” She is President at FosterKidsUnite, Inc., which provides nontraditional services for aged out and foster youth in college and trade school. Created to honor the memory of her birth brother who died at 41 of heart disease, FosterKidsUnite, Inc. provides; gift boxes during December finals, Scholarships and mentoring.
As featured local hero of the month in The Journal news, Tanya quotes herself, saying: “There is no point of going through something if you are not going to help others”.
You can also visit the website www.fosterkidsuniteinc.wordpress.com/and read Tanya's blogs of encouragement, www.fosterkidsuniteinc.blogspot.com/to see what we do to help aged out foster youth in college and read advice to our youth!
Videos on You Tube for foster youth just entering care: http://youtu.be/8MMIsg9RyGo
Her story has also been in “The Examiner”, The Westchester guardian, channel 12 News & online at: www.Chappaquapatch.com
(For FosterKidsUnite, Inc. yearly event at Mount Kisco Public Library – To celebrate May National Foster Care Awareness Month and honor her brother by giving “The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship”, to youth aged out of foster care and going or in college or trade school and honor “Citizens of change”, those who help fosters.
FosterKidsUnite, Inc. has received: three proclamations,
2 from Mayor Michael Cindrich, Mount Kisco, NY, one from former Senator Greg Ball, NY and was recently honored by NCADD, White Plains, Joan Bosignore, former Westchester County Executive, Robert Asterino, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins & Senator Terrance P. Murphy.
To the left are photos from previous “Citizens of Change” and aged out youth being honored by FosterKidsUnite, Inc.
Mayor Michael Cindrich, Honoree, Hon. Kathy E. Davidson, Keynote Speaker, (blue shirt seated), Author Liz Welch, “The Kids Are Alright”
Left: Winner Cherie of “The Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship”, with Co-founder Megan Castellano and Lower Left: Tanya Cooper, Mayor Michael Cindrich and Honoree for “Citizen of Change Award”, Dan Eisenberg, former Art Director at The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. (Taken at the Mount Kisco Public Library)
contact information for: bookings, speaking or mentoring
(914)646-4638
