Circle of Friends XXI

Ashley Rhodes-Courter is the  quintessential American success story.  Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida's foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes -- some quite abusive -- before being adopted from a Children's Home at the age of twelve.

Despite her ordeal, she excelled in school because she believed that, "my education was the one thing nobody could take from me." Early in her life she felt compelled to advocate for herself and the other children she lived with, particularly in the abusive foster homes.

Her efforts and academic achievements landed her Eckerd College's Trustee Scholarship -- the school's most prestigious full-tuition award. She graduated with honors and ahead of schedule, earning a double major in Communications and Theater and a double minor in Political Science and Psychology. Ashley then went on to earn a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.

On June 1, 2003, the New York Times Magazine published her grand prize winning essay about her adoption day. She expanded her essay into a memoir, Three Little Words, which was published by Simon & Schuster in January 2008 and quickly became a New York Times, then international bestseller. Ashley has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, Nancy Grace, ABC Primteime, Montel Williams, and other national media outlets.

Ashley has turned her pain into power and she has a passion to share her story with those who have experienced adversity. Ashley strives to encourage education, compassion, community involvement and positive outcomes for individuals, youths and families.

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THE CARE HOUSE MISSION

To be a leading resource in the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the protection of children through advocacy, education, intervention, research, training and treatment, in collaboration with the community.