See Us Now is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of foster children and youth across the United States through advocacy, public awareness and action-oriented programs. The organization focuses on empowering foster youth through key legislation that provides more safe, stable housing which allows children to receive an education, as well as medical and mental services. SUN also advocates for the safety of children in foster care and accountability for their welfare at a federal and state level. Central to our mission is to eliminate child trafficking in the foster care system that is currently on the rise due to the lack of housing and the instability of care. We believe that every foster child deserves a chance to thrive and succeed, regardless of their circumstances and that starts with a home.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kari Wagner’s determination to make a difference was reignited when her daughter, Charissa, reached out to a group home where she and her youth group had previously volunteered. Shockingly, Charissa discovered that the home was virtually empty, its halls once filled with the laughter and energy of children now hauntingly silent.

Meanwhile, children were living in tents just minutes away. The reason behind this stark change lay in the unforeseen consequences of the Family First Act, and a dramatic shortage of foster parents after the pandemic.

Moved by the plight of these children and inspired by a sense of responsibility, Charissa and Kari along with an action-oriented group of teens took decisive action. This pivotal moment marked the genesis of See Us Now—an organization dedicated to the creation of more safe, consistent housing for children in foster care. This basic foundation allows children to develop trusted relationships, provides security, and enables them to recieve mental and medical care as well as an education. Currently, these kids are shuffled around living in cars, hotel rooms, tents, and rent- a-beds. They can’t go to school or get the resources that they need for a healthy life. And even more horrifying is the fact that thousands of them will disappear in the system and even be trafficked due to the instability of care.

At the core of See Us Now’s mission are crucial non-partisan legislative efforts. Among them are the “Ensuring Medicaid Continuity For Children in Foster Care Act of 2023” (HR4056) (now part of the critical SUPPORT ACT S.3393) and the “CARE For Children Act” (HR3852), and the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act (HR2426). These initiatives are designed to safeguard the health and safety of children in foster care while also expanding housing options to ensure stability and security.

Through grassroots activism, advocacy, and community engagement, See Us Now strives to be a catalyst for positive change. By amplifying the voices of those affected by the Family First Act and championing legislative reform, we seek to create a brighter, more hopeful future for foster children across the nation.