Meet Tony Rivera

We recently connected with Tony Rivera and have shared our conversation below.

Tony , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I didn’t always know I was walking in my purpose. In fact, I didn’t even know what a “purpose” was for much of my early life. I was just trying to survive. I was navigating a world that felt unpredictable, where homes changed as quickly as faces, stability was a luxury, and where I often questioned if I truly belonged anywhere. I remember the fear and uncertainty of being a foster youth, the constant changes, and the struggle to find my place in the world.

Born to a mother who was only 15, I entered the foster care system at age eight. I moved through more group homes than I can count, each transition forcing me to adapt, observe, and figure out how to fit into a new reality. School was another challenge; I reached my senior year reading and writing at an eighth-grade level. It wasn’t because I lacked potential but because I had spent years in survival mode, trying to keep up with a system that wasn’t designed for kids like me to be successful. But even in the middle of all that, something inside me kept pushing forward. I didn’t realize I was following a pattern; I was priming, pivoting, and preparing before giving those words meaning.

Every time I entered a new home, school, or challenge, I primed myself to adjust to whatever came next. When things didn’t go as planned, I pivoted, starting over and finding new ways to move forward. And I prepared, even when I didn’t know what I was preparing for. By seeking out mentors, I was able to develop resilience and hold onto the belief that there was more for me, laying the foundation for something greater, even if I couldn’t see it at the time.

It wasn’t until later when I became a school counselor, an advocate, and a speaker, that I realized I had been living the 3Ps long before I ever named them. Prime, Pivot, and Prepare had already shaped my journey, and now I had the language to explain it to others.

Today, I use my experiences to empower foster youth, educators, and professionals who work with them. Through Fostering Minds, my books, and my curriculum, I help young people and those who support them recognize their strengths, even when they don’t see them yet. I know what it’s like to feel lost. I know what moving forward is like, even when you don’t have a clear path. And I know that sometimes our purpose is revealed in hindsight.

I didn’t set out to create a framework. I simply lived it. Now, I share it so others can find their way, step into their strength, and embrace the truth that they are capable of more than they ever imagined. They do not even realize that they are already preparing for something greater.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

At the core of my work is the belief that education, self-advocacy, and mentorship can change lives—because they changed mine. I am an elementary school counselor, doctorate student, and the founder of Fostering Minds, LLC. I help organizations, foster care agencies, schools, and professionals bridge the gaps in education and support for youth in care. My focus is on train-the-trainer programs, strategic sharing, leadership development, and emotional intelligence training, all rooted in my 3P Framework: Prime, Pivot, Prepare.

In addition to my consulting work, I am also an author dedicated to writing stories that uplift and inspire elementary-age students. I have written two books, and my third children’s book, JT’s Big, Bright Day, is currently available for pre-order (https://bbfmllc.company.site/) and set to be released on February 14, 2025. This book is designed to encourage young readers to embrace their strengths and resilience.

What excites me most about this journey is witnessing the impact in the eyes of my elementary students, as well as seeing foster youth recognize their own power. I enjoy watching educators and professionals become more equipped to support them, knowing that every conversation, every book, and every training creates a ripple effect of change.

I want people to understand that foster youth are not broken. They are resilient, resourceful, and capable of extraordinary things when given the right support. My mission is to create those support systems, amplify those voices, and build bridges between foster youth and the opportunities they deserve.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, I realize that three key qualities shaped who I am today: resilience, self-advocacy, and faith. These weren’t just skills I picked up along the way—they were lifelines that carried me through some of the most challenging moments of my life.

Self-advocacy was a skill I had to learn early. Growing up in the foster care system, moving from group home to group home, and struggling academically, I realized that I had to speak up for myself. I didn’t have the luxury of stability. Every transition required me to adapt quickly, to figure things out on my own, and to keep pushing forward even when everything felt uncertain. There were moments when I wanted to give up, but I realized that self-advocacy isn’t just about speaking up—it’s about learning how to use your voice to create change. It’s about getting back up, even when you don’t feel like you can.

For anyone just starting their journey, my advice is this: build their resilience through self-reflection and a growth mindset. When setbacks come—and they will—don’t see them as the end of the road. Instead, ask themslves, What can I learn from this? How can I grow from this? Surround themselves with people who encourage and uplift them Journaling, mindfulness, and embracing challenges as learning experiences can help them develop the strength to keep going.

Self-advocacy was another essential skill I had to develop. As a foster youth navigating the education system, I quickly realized that if I didn’t speak up for myself, no one else would. I had to learn how to articulate my needs, ask for help, and seek out opportunities. This skill didn’t come naturally at first—I had to practice. I had to push past the fear of rejection and remind myself that my voice mattered.

If I could give one piece of advice to those just starting out, it would be this: don’t be afraid to speak up. Advocate for themselves in small ways, ask questions, seek clarity, and let people know what they need. Find mentors who can guide and support you. The more they practice, the more confident they’ll become. Communication is one of the most powerful tools you can have, and learning how to use it effectively will open doors you never imagined.

But more than anything, it was my faith that carried me through. In the moments when I felt lost or unsure, my faith reminded me that there was a greater purpose in my journey. It gave me hope when things felt impossible and guided me when I didn’t know what to do next. Knowing that my work, helping foster youth and closing the education gap, was connected to something bigger than myself gave me the strength to keep going.

To those still figuring out their path, I would encourage them to reflect on what truly matters to them. Whether it’s faith, a personal mission, or a cause that speaks to their heart, and encourage to let that be their anchor. Your purpose will guide you through the most challenging days and remind you why you started in the first place.

Lasly, I would ask them to remember:

Prime themselves by becoming self-aware and embracing learning opportunities.

Pivot when things don’t go as planned—flexibility is key.

Prepare to succeed by equipping themselves with the right mindset, skills, and support system.

Their journey won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. Keep pushing forward, believing in themselves, and never forget that their story is still being written.

How would you describe your ideal client?

When I think about the kind of people I work best with, one thing is clear: they aren’t just looking for another training or another resource to check off a list. They are people who genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of foster youth—people who see the education gap, the systemic barriers, and the struggles these young people face and ask, What can I do to change this?

My ideal client is someone who is deeply committed to the work. Whether they are an educator, social worker, foster care agency staff member, or a leader in youth advocacy, they share one common trait: a relentless dedication to empowering young people and ensuring that foster youth don’t just survive, but thrive.

I work best with those who are mission-driven and passionate—people who don’t just see foster youth as a statistic but as individuals with potential, dreams, and futures worth investing in. They are eager to learn, open to new frameworks like the 3P Model (Prime, Pivot, Prepare), and ready to take action. They understand that supporting foster youth requires more than good intentions, it takes intentional effort, education, and a willingness to engage in deep, meaningful work.

But it’s not just about knowledge. The people I serve best are willing to reflect, grow, and challenge themselves. They recognize that real change doesn’t happen in comfort zones. They ask the hard questions, examine their own biases, and commit to doing the work, whether that means reshaping policies in their schools, improving how their agencies support foster youth, or becoming stronger mentors and advocates.

And most importantly, they don’t stop at learning. They are action-oriented, the kind of people who take what they learn and apply it in real ways, in real lives. They value collaboration, community, and long-term impact.

The people I work best with come from different backgrounds, foster care agencies, schools, nonprofits, and youth mentorship programs, but they all share the same drive. They see the gaps, the challenges, and the barriers, and instead of turning away, they step forward with one question: How can I be part of the solution?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fosteringminds.co
• Instagram: fosteringmindsllc
• Linkedin: Tony Rivera and Fostering Minds