I have spent a lot of time with foster children over the years - kids for whom I have not necessarily acted as a foster parent. Vanessa Diffenbaugh actchildfoster Change image and share on social
Writing has always been an interest of mine, and 'The Language of Flowers' combined my experience with foster care with something I've always wanted to do. Vanessa Diffenbaugh carecombineexperience Change image and share on social
The most violent and troubling stories become part of our national consciousness about foster care. Vanessa Diffenbaugh careconsciousnessfoster Change image and share on social
There aren't always, especially in low-income communities, the arts and the dance and the drama and the things that can really show a kid, 'Look, even if I'm three years behind in math, there's something I'm good at that can help me be successful in life.' Vanessa Diffenbaugh artcommunitydance share on social
I love Toni Morrison and Jeanette Winterson. 'The Passion' is my favourite book. Vanessa Diffenbaugh bookfavouritejeanette Change image and share on social
I did a minor in creative writing in college, but I didn't start writing until I stayed at home with my own children. Vanessa Diffenbaugh childcollegecreative Change image and share on social
The names of common flowers change from decade to decade, so I spent a lot of time with old outdated dictionaries, with awful flower names like 'mouse-eared chickweed.' Vanessa Diffenbaugh awfulchangechickweed Change image and share on social
There's still something so pure and heartfelt and emotional and genuine about a bouquet of flowers that, even with all the advances of technology and the millions of ways we have to communicate with each other, flowers are still relevant in my opinion. Vanessa Diffenbaugh advancebouquetcommunicate share on social
It is stories - both real and fictional - that can captivate hearts, change minds and, in the most powerful examples, spur action. Vanessa Diffenbaugh actioncaptivatechange Change image and share on social
At Camellia Network, we believe if we can create a way of identifying every young person aging out of foster care, defining what they need, and giving a community of supporters a simple and clear way to fulfill those needs, we can produce radically improved outcomes for youth. Vanessa Diffenbaugh agingcamelliacare share on social
