We were lucky to catch up with Carin Bird recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

Honestly, it hasn’t been hard to garner support for Unfaulted. When people hear the heartbreaking stories and statistics of those aging out of foster care, it’s near impossible not to be affected in some fashion. With that in mind, asking for support does not always mean financial support; there are many ways to support nonprofits. Volunteering, advocating for those we serve, and providing tangible donations are some ways that people can support the mission. Family and friends have done anything from donating financially, providing furniture for a member’s first apartment, telling their circles about Unfaulted, and so much more. Most importantly, those closest to me have encouraged me along this journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer of Unfaulted. In 2019, Angela Lippens and I founded Unfaulted as a non-profit after learning the staggering statistics youth aging out of foster care are facing. Every year, 23,000 youth age out of care, and of that number, 65% are in need of immediate shelter. Within the first two years of emancipating from care, 25% will be incarcerated. These young men and women are left alone to determine their next steps.

Unfaulted is a non-profit that exists to build a foundation for young women who have aged out of the foster care system by helping them grow through community, sharing the gospel, and providing education, to equip them to be successful, independent adults. We are working on standing in the gap and providing the necessary resources for these young adults.

Most of us think back to ourselves at the ages these young adults are (18-21) and remember what a pivotal time in our lives that was. Just getting out into the world and navigating adulthood is trying in and of itself, let alone doing it without the help of family or a community. The young adults we work with are entering this new stage of life on their own but still need trusted adults, and we have seen the difference it can make.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Angela and I met while working at our church, she was the Children’s Pastor, and I was the Administrative Assistant; we became fast friends, and so did our families. We didn’t realize until later that God had been working in our hearts separately but simultaneously. For Angela, it was a very clear calling for youth aging out of foster care; for me, it was a calling for children without parents. In 2019 during a break while at a women’s conference, Angela asked me to partner with her, and we hit the ground running.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Angela’s husband, Ben Lippens, runs our social media and does a fantastic job! Ben has grown our online presence by researching, reaching out to organizations that work in the foster care/adoption space, and engaging with followers. He has cultivated a community of people who see a problem and want to work to be the solution personally in whatever capacity that means to them. Ben has spoken countless times on the importance of people following and sharing our pages; this may seem small, but many of our members have found Unfaulted via social media. For our members, liking and sharing can mean a world of difference.

I advise anyone growing their social media presence to be authentic and engage with their followers. Especially in this space, your social media following wants to hear from someone genuine. Ben is sure to acknowledge and respond to all comments left on our posts as well as posts where Unfaulted is mentioned. If someone has taken the time to follow your page, they are giving you their attention, knowing you will come across their feed. Whether there is a large following or not, people appreciate the acknowledgment and gratitude-it truly goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.unfaulted.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/unfaultedco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/unfaulted
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/unfaultedco
• Other: linktr.ee/unfaulted

Image Credits
Amanda Holcomb Creative Photography by Amanda https://www.pixbyamanda.com/