#183. One Mentor, One Life, Endless Ripples: Supporting Foster Youth with Ashley Trussell

CONTENT NOTE: This episode briefly mentions child abuse in the context for how one girl entered the foster system.What begins with one life can change entire generations. In this inspiring conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Ashley Trussell—founder of Butterfly Effect Foundation—who shares how a single relationship during COVID led to creating a nonprofit that now mentors teenage girls aging out of foster care in Arizona, one butterfly at a time.Ashley's journey started when she and her husband met a young woman at their church who was in an unsafe home situation. After DCS placed her in a group home, Ashley kept showing up—bringing her to church, helping her get a job, and making vision boards with the other girls in the home. When another girl asked, "Could you be my mentor?", the foundation was born. What makes Butterfly Effect unique is the one-on-one model: each mentor commits to just one girl, creating a genuine relationship without reporting requirements or professional distance—just someone who shows up and genuinely cares.Ashley explains what most of us take for granted but these girls have never experienced: opening a bank account, getting a driver's permit, building a resume, and learning to save. Butterfly Effect helps them catch up through practical support—mentors connect with them to help them learn practical skills, enjoy outings and experiences, and explore careers they never knew existed. She shares the story of one butterfly who discovered flower arranging with her mentor and built a thriving business at 16, learning real-world skills while saving for her first car.Whether you're considering becoming a mentor, looking for ways to support foster youth in your community, or simply want to understand how one person showing up can change everything, this conversation offers both inspiration and a clear path to making a difference.Bio:Ashley Trussell is the Founder & Chair of the Butterfly Effect Foundation. Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona, Ashley and her husband live in Las Sendas and are graduates of Mesa’s Mountain View High School and Arizona State University. Ashley’s two children graduated from Red Mountain High School, with her son playing Division 1 football and graduating from the University of Central Arkansas and her daughter graduating from Grand Canyon University’s Nursing program. Raised in a Christian home, Ashley's values are rooted in God, family, and loving life.Ashley founded Butterfly Effect Foundation, a nonprofit that mentors, one-on-one, teen girls living in group homes, aging out of the foster care system in Arizona. She also serves as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in Maricopa County. Her life motto is "Love Life."Connect with Ashley:EmailWebsiteInstagramPhone - 602-837-3777Donations can be made directly: Zelle - 602-837-3777Venmo - @butterflyeffectfoundationCheck - PO Box 20166, Mesa, AZ 85277Flower ArrangementsResources:If you need support, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673.Books mentioned: Love Does by Bob Goff - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781400203758https://amzn.to/3R5wQTaEverybody Always by Bob Goff - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9780718078133 https://amzn.to/49fzHPJPodcasts mentioned:Voices For CASA The Ramsey Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ramsey-show/id77001367