KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasFormer Foster Child Nominated for National Grant
A former Las Vegas foster child is living proof that with love and encouragement, anyone can overcome a childhood of abuse and neglect. As an author and community activist, that's a message 16-year-old Heather Wilder spends a lot of time-sharing with other foster children these days.
She's met the president of the United States, danced with NFL great Jerry Rice, and even rocked out with the Jonas Brothers backstage. Not bad for a young girl who thought her life was over before it ever really began.
Up until the age of four, Wilder only knew abuse and neglect, then more troubled years bouncing around the foster care system before landing in the life of her adoptive mother and teacher, Tammy Wilder.
Tammy saw that potential in heather's journal writing. "I was just writing down my feelings -- why I felt so angry, sad, hurt, mad, and that's how it started," she said.
Those feelings put into words soon became booklets that were copied and shared with other foster care children in Clark County. "I wanted them to know they are not alone," she said.
Heather's booklets have been featured in a number of national publications, like People Magazine. Over the years, they've helped thousands of foster children cope with crisis.
Now Heather is one of about 200 national Grant4Change nominees vying for a $10,000 prize to fund more community projects to foster hope in foster children. "That's what the kids need most -- hope and a family," she said.
Voting for the Grant4Change winners will take place online over the next two weeks. Heather needs all the votes she can get and we'll be sure to keep you posted on this amazing young woman's good deeds.
