Youth Achievements

At Under One Sky we believe in each youth’s ability to rise above their circumstances and achieve wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. Honored by the strength and wisdom the youth bring to the Passages program, we aim to help them find new ways of rediscovering their many talents.

You Never Know Who I Can Become

"You Never Know Who I Can Become" was written and performed by Under One Sky staff and youth in the spring of 2007. The song was first performed at the 2007 North Carolina Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Conference in Raleigh by six youth in our program to an audience of more than 500. The lyrics were inspired by poems and short stories written by youth during a 2006 writing workshop led by Lynn Rhoades and Nathan Freeman of Pen and Voice. After helping the youth rehearse for a camp-wide performance of their poems and stories, music instructor-mentor Cindy Hospedales wrote the lyrics and music. The song is a testimony to the strength, endurance, and hope that youth in foster care have for themselves and each other.

Youth Panel on Foster Care and Adoption

Seven youth in our program led a panel workshop at the 2007 North Carolina Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Conference in Raleigh. Youth answered questions about adoption and living in foster care. More than forty adoptive and foster parents attended and gave the youth a standing ovation, inviting them back for what some participants described as “the best workshop I’ve ever attended.”

Rites of Passage Council

Youth in the Passages program are invited to participate in the Rites of Passage Council when they feel ready for deeper work related to who they are and where they’re headed in life. The Council, made up of Under One Sky staff, elders, and peers, provides opportunities for the youth to make a conscious and healthy passage to adulthood.

The Council meets during each camp session, devoting time to each other’s stories of growth and challenge. Native American traditions like the Sweat Lodge help youth to recognize old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve them as they mature and grow into healthy adults. Currently the youth in the Rites of Passage Council are preparing for a solo experience in 2008 that will further their opportunity to find strength and confidence in themselves.

The Sweat Lodge was an awesome experience. To me, it was something special. In the beginning I didn’t think I could do it, then I found the strength to do it. It caused me to feel like a new person. Before the Sweat Lodge, I was influenced by people I hung out with—by whatever mood they were in. After the Sweat Lodge, I didn’t care anymore—I was just me. I didn’t follow other people’s moods. My body felt lighter—like it gave me more air and room to pray. The Sweat Lodge included all religious beliefs and I could pray to my belief.

—Samantha, age 16

To Inspire and Give Hope to Others

Brandon Nivens, age 17, was adopted by his mother Beverly in 2007 after living in foster care for many years. Already an accomplished singer with his school and church, Brandon has written nearly a dozen songs for and about youth in foster care while enrolled in the Passages program. He says that he wants to inspire and give hope to other youth who are in foster care through his music. In the process of writing these songs, he is also teaching himself how to play the piano and write arrangements. Recently Brandon led a camp workshop where he taught other youth two of his songs for a performance at a November adoption awareness event in Burke County, North Carolina.

I’m Forgiving You
Copyright 2007 by Brandon Nivens. All rights reserved.

You weren’t there to help me
You weren’t there to comfort me
I needed you but you were so gone
I could have used your peace of mind
I sometimes wish I could rewind time
But then I realize that probably wouldn’t help

(CHORUS)

I’m looking towards the door
I’m letting my hate for you out for awhile
I’m looking past the pain
Rewinding good memories again and again
Trying to forget all the hurt you let into our lives
But I’m forgiving you
I’m forgiving you
I’m forgiving you of all your crimes

I know it’s hard to understand
I’m trying to be the better man
So I need to let you go so I can move on
Because if I hate you for the all of my life
I’ll only be living in strife
And that’s not how I want it all to end