About Cindy Carlson M. A.

Born in Tucson, Arizona, raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, I married and then found a quaint, country town to raise my family. After three years at the University of Utah, marriage, and four children, I finally graduated from Utah State University. Later, I went on to Western Governors University for my masters degree. In between going back to school and raising my children, I also helped foster over one hundred and fifty struggling teens. What an experience! Challenging and rewarding, is what I call it.

For over thirty years, I have been actively involved with teenagers and at-risk youth. I have been involved with Boy Scouts of America for more than twenty years in various capacities: Shooting Sports Director, Water Front Director, staff advisor, even staff cook.  I have a passion for adventure and thrive on the strength gained from challenges. Dedicated and motivated, I have been teaching high school for over twenty-five years at the nearby public school. I enjoy being around young people and think it makes me feel youthful. For more than thirty years, I have also been involved with coaching: basketball, volleyball, softball, and track and field.

Cindy's Own Story

In addition to all the foster care stories, I have a story about kids of my own. You see, I adopted a two-day old Native American baby who has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). This little girl grew in my heart quickly, yet I knew this baby now had two strikes against her: adoption and FAS.

I know how it feels to get calls from juvenile detention and jail. I know how I tried to stay above water and fix it myself, but I had to admit I needed help from others.  I understand the panic, fault finding, nervousness a parent goes through when a child is in need of help. I understand that parents want a place where their child can be safe, feel secure, and begin the road to recovery.

I cannot say my daughter is healed, none of us are, but she is making amazingly giant steps.