What happens to a child when they grow up in foster care… and no one ever comes for them?
Not when they’re five.
Not when they’re ten.
Not even when they’re fifteen.
This week on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Jennifer Pinder, Executive Director of You Gotta Believe!, an organization that has spent the last 30 years proving that it is never too late for a young person in foster care to have a permanent, loving family.
As an adoptee herself, Jennifer brings both lived experience and professional leadership to this conversation — helping challenge the harmful belief that older youth are “too old” for adoption or permanency.
Together, Rob and Jennifer discuss why older youth are so often overlooked, the emotional realities of aging out of foster care alone, and how You Gotta Believe! is redefining what family can look like for teenagers and young adults in care.
At the center of this conversation is a simple but powerful truth: every child deserves belonging, commitment, and someone who will show up for them — no matter their age.
Conversation Highlights
Why do thousands of youth age out of foster care each year without permanent family connections
The misconceptions and fears that prevent many families from considering older youth adoption
How You Gotta Believe! focuses exclusively on permanency for older youth in foster care
Why lived experience matters in leadership, advocacy, and building trust with young people
What permanency and belonging truly mean for youth who have spent years in the system
About Jennifer Pinder
Jennifer Pinder is the Executive Director of You Gotta Believe!, a nonprofit dedicated to finding permanent families for older youth in foster care. Since joining the organization in 2020, she has led efforts in advocacy, communications, fundraising, and strategic growth as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary.
An adoptee herself, Jennifer brings a deeply personal connection to the organization’s mission and works alongside a team that includes many individuals with lived experience in child welfare.
Connect with Jennifer & You Gotta Believe!
🌐 Website: You Gotta Believe!
📸 Instagram: @jennifer_yougottabelieve
💼 LinkedIn: Jennifer Pinder LinkedIn
Closing Thought
Family is not about perfection.
It is about commitment. Consistency. Showing up.
This conversation is a reminder that no young person should leave foster care believing they are unwanted or forgotten — and that it is never too late for someone to belong.
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