We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shelby Merten. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shelby below.

Shelby, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Market 18 is a program of Dream Makers, a nonprofit that is on a mission to change the lives of youth who have aged out of foster care. Market 18 was created with the heart to financially support youth who are aging out of the foster care system at 18 – and to raise awareness. All items and designs are handmade by former foster youth!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Growing up, my family did foster care for kids of all ages and most recently a youth who aged out of the system. My sister is now a foster parent as well so serving youth in foster care is my calling and truly my passion. My role at Market 18 is a unique creative role where I empower and help youth who have aged out of foster care sell their items. Market 18 was created with the heart to financially support youth who are aging out of the foster care system at 18 – and to raise awareness to the 23,000+ teenagers exit the foster care system at 18 years old every year without a family to help them transition into adulthood.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely, each year, more than 23,000 teenagers age out of the foster care system at 18 years old without the support of a family as they transition into adulthood. These resilient youth have already endured neglect, abuse, and the challenges of the foster care system. Now, they face the daunting task of navigating life on their own without the support and stability that most take for granted.

Many of the problems plaguing our culture today: homelessness, s*x trafficking, prison, and poverty, are symptoms of the statistics below. Our goal is to go upstream and help support aged out foster youth so that they can thrive and succeed in their lives. Through the Dream Makers Project and Market 18, we provide essential support, resources, and guidance to address both their immediate and long-term goals.

With each purchase, people are empowering our artisans who have aged out of foster care and financially supporting them as they are transitioning into adulthood alone. Every item and design you see on our site is thoughtfully handmade by former foster youth!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I have the most rewarding creative role! I get to see other artists and creatives talents and turn it into something we can sell at our shop. So every one of our items and designs are handmade by former foster youth! With these artists being youth who have come from really hard pasts, being removed from their biological family, going through the foster care system then aging out alone, one of my favorite parts is how much confidence making and selling their items give them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://market18shop.com
• Instagram: market18shop