Running Toward Tomorrow

Send us Fan MailAt sixteen years old, Majd Abdallah entered foster care with nothing more than a backpack and an uncertain future. What he discovered over the years wasn't just safety—it was family, purpose, and a profound sense of belonging.In this powerful episode of The Belonging Podcast, Melissa Kaye sits down with Majd Abdallah, founder of Foster the Bear, to explore his remarkable journey through foster care, healing, identity, and the relationships that transformed his life. Majd shares the unexpected moments that helped him discover who he was meant to become—from finding freedom in early morning runs to realizing, during his high school graduation party, that his foster parents had quietly become his forever family.Together, Melissa and Majd explore what it truly means to belong, why community is essential to healing, and how simple acts of compassion can change the trajectory of a young person's life.This conversation is a moving reminder that belonging is not about where you come from—it's about the people who choose to walk beside you.In this episode you'll discover:How belonging shapes identity and resilienceThe emotional journey of entering foster care as a teenagerWhy relationships matter more than programsHow sports, mentorship, and community create lasting transformationThe inspiring story behind Foster the Bear and its mission to support children and young adults experiencing foster careWhy every young person deserves to know they are worthy, valued, and never aloneWhether you're connected to foster care, work with young people, are a foster parent, or simply care about building stronger communities, this episode offers hope, wisdom, and a fresh perspective on what it means to truly belong.About our guestMajd Abdallah is the founder of Foster the Bear, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and young adults who have experienced foster care through comfort, connection, scholarships, and community awareness. Drawing from his own lived experience, Majd is helping ensure that no young person feels forgotten as they navigate life's most challenging transitions.If this conversation resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes that every person deserves to belong.Learn More: TedX Talk: https://youtu.be/atEFz5DwkiQ?si=DvLaMMRq12i5KF7CFoster The Bear: https://www.fosterthebear.org/Learn More About Elev8 Villages:Website: https://www.elev8villages.org/Download your FREE Belonging Kit: https://www.elev8villages.org/FREEkit💭 If this episode inspires you, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE!This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone. If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org.Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.