This Is Me

06/17/2026

Last night was an incredibly humbling evening.

Our Executive Director, Holly Schoenbauer, was honored to be recognized as the 2026 WINGS Woman of Impact and invited to deliver the keynote address on the theme of resilience.

Rather than speaking about awards or accomplishments, Holly chose to share what more than seven years as a foster parent—and welcoming more than 30 children into her home—has taught her about the true meaning of resilience.

The strongest people she has ever met aren't CEOs, politicians, or professional athletes.

They're children in foster care.

These incredible young people continue to teach us about courage, hope, trust, and the power of kindness, even after experiencing circumstances no child should have to endure.

One message from the keynote beautifully reflects the heart of This Is Me:

"They're not giving you a hard time. They're having a hard time."

It's a reminder that every behavior tells a story, and every child deserves to be met with compassion.

If you have about 14 minutes, we invite you to watch Holly's keynote. We hope it inspires you as much as the children we serve inspire us every single day.

Thank you to WINGS for this incredible honor and for recognizing the importance of supporting children and families in our communities.

💙 Because every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and connected.

🎥 Watch the keynote here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW_UROYOPvE&t=3s

What does resilience really look like?After seven years as foster...

05/12/2026

This Saturday, This Is Me is hosting a Pickleball Tournament for Foster Care Awareness Month — and we would LOVE to see our community show up in a big way!

Whether you’re:
✨ super competitive
✨ brand new to pickleball
✨ playing just for fun
✨ or simply looking for a way to support foster youth in Southern Minnesota…

THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU.

Every registration helps raise awareness and support for youth impacted by foster care — youth who deserve to feel seen, valued, and connected to their communities.

📅 Saturday, May 16
⏰ Matches begin at 8 AM
📍 Riverside Park in Northfield MN (Pickleball courts)

🏆 Prizes:
1st Place – $400
2nd Place – $200
3rd Place – $50

💲$50 per person / $100 per team
(All entry fees are considered donations and are tax deductible.)

Grab a partner, rally your friends, and come spend the day making a difference while having a TON of fun. 🏓

👉 Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-QsH__0dGXrDvr9qu1QJNMGaajcDNb0g7D4YPKj08qqqCSQ/viewform

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post! Community support matters more than you know. 💜

05/08/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/silverlininginstitute_as-we-recognize-national-foster-care-month-activity-7457806384856969216-mk6k?utm_source=li_share&utm_content=feedcontent&utm_medium=g_dt_web&utm_campaign=facebook

As we recognize National Foster Care Month this May, it is a powerful time to reflect on what true support looks like. When mentoring youth impacted by foster care, success isn't always about huge milestones. Sometimes, it is simply about showing up, building trust, and sitting in the tough moments....

05/05/2026

Have too many backpacks crowding your closets? Let us take them off your hands! This year we are hosting a backpack drive! We are looking for new or slightly used backpacks that can be filled with items that kids need when going into foster care. Family Fare in Northfield and Fareway in Faribault will be drop off sites from May 4-17. You can also bring any backpacks to our Foster Care Awareness event on May 16th!

05/02/2026

This Is Me is hosting a pickle-ball tournament during our foster care awareness event as a fun way to raise awareness for foster care! This tournament will be held at the courts at Riverside Park. $50 per person/$100 per team entry fee applies. The tournament will run double elimination style, and cash prizes for the top three teams available! The first two matches will start at 8:00 AM!

Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-QsH__0dGXrDvr9qu1QJNMGaajcDNb0g7D4YPKj08qqqCSQ/viewform

04/28/2026

Join us on our annual Foster Care Awareness event! Saturday, May 16th - Pickle Ball tournament starts at 9am and the event goes until 1pm. Riverside park in Northfield - right across form the Pickle-ball courts!!

Food, Carleton Juggling Club, St. Olaf dancers, arts and crafts, and MORE!!!!

ALL ARE WELCOME! Come and help rid the stigma of foster care!!!!

Show support for kids in care - bring your family - and join us for this family friendly event!!!

Check out the photo in the first comment if you want to join the pickle-ball tournament!!!!

04/15/2026

We will be hosting a table next week Project Community Connect! Come visit us to learn more about how our organization gives back to foster youth!

We are one week away from Project Community Connect on Tuesday, April 21, from 1-4 p.m. at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center's Grand Hall. This is a FREE community resource event. More than 80 service providers will be available to help. Find many resources all in one place, including: housing, employment, disability, food, legal and more.

Highlights include:
- Free lunch
- Free haircuts
- Hygiene/household items
- Government ID vouchers, while supplies last
- Free childcare (ages 6 months and up)
- Shoes available for purchase from the Shoe Bus ($3-$6), with a limited number of free shoe vouchers available
- Free transit rides to/from event by City of Mankato (tell the driver you are going to PCC)
- Interpreters available
- . . . and much more!

This event is made possible by sponsors, in-kind donors, volunteers and many other supporters.