Becoming a Foster Parent, Supporting Teens & Founding Common Thread with RACHEL GARRETT

Rachel Garrett is a former high school teacher, licensed foster parent, certified CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), and founder and Executive Director of Common Thread - a nonprofit dedicated to building community and strengthening teens who are experiencing adversity in their lives. Today we get to talk with Rachel about what led her to becoming a foster parent, what that experience has been like, and how pursuing a master's degree in psychology, child & adolescent development works into her story. She shares how being a foster parent led to founding Common Thread, what the organization does and how others can help. We also talk with Rachel about productive ways we can interact with and support our teens as parents and the teens in our communities.    We learned so much from Rachel and loved getting to know her and learning about the amazing impact she is having as a foster parent and in the community, and ways we can apply the experience and knowledge she has in our lives. Thank you, Rachel for coming on the podcast!    Find Rachel on Instagram @rachgarrett   Find Common Thread on Instagram @commonthread_community and online www.commonthreadut.com and find more info on how you can get involved in their events, supporting a teen, becoming a CASA, and more.    Thank you for listening!   Find and follow Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook.