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Left in a hospital to die after being born at 5 ½ months, endured parental abuse and neglect, experienced bouts of homelessness, survived a house fire and an attempted suicide – all before the age 13 – inspirational speaker, author, coach and mentor Trisha R. Gordon shared her story and techniques of resilience during a presentation on Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC). 

Gordon, who spent 10 years in foster care, spoke to ESLC’s Building Futures (BF) Program participants, foster care parents and child advocates about the practical strategies she used, and continues to use, to become empowered and successful. Her seminar was entitled, “Accept the Challenge. Live For. Let In. Excuse Me. Activate. Gravitate.” 

“I am focused on helping individuals, particularly youth, build resilience and strengthen their mental wellness,” said Gordon, vice president of the Community Investment Division for the United Way of Greater St. Louis and mother of a 23-year-old son. “Over the past 25 years, I have realized that my gift from God has been the ability to overcome my tough times through the power of words.” 

“I have learned how to redefine words to redefine my life. Or as I also like to say, ‘My fight with the dictionary,’” continued Gordon, also philanthropist. “As a result, I have developed signature messages and inspiring journal prompts that encourage individuals to take action and improve their lives. ‘Foster’ was one of the first words I redefined.” 

Gordon’s new twist and acronym for the word “foster” is Finding Opportunities that Strengthen, Teach, Empower and Restore what one needs to move forward in life. Gordon was placed in foster care at the age of 11. 

“Her talk was just heartwarming,” said 18-year-old Jayda Seawood, BF student and foster child from East St. Louis. “I felt every word. She cares a lot about foster children.” 

“I’m facing navigating school, determining what is my plan and deciding what will be my next steps, said Seawood, also a student at Southwestern Illinois College who has plans to become a licensed practical nurse, a certified nursing assistant or a counselor. “I’ve always wanted to help people.” 

“I felt that her unique perspective and firsthand experience could profoundly resonate with the clients we serve, offering them hope and motivation,” said BF Program Director Ora Locket. “Moreover, I believed that her story had the potential to enlighten and empower those working within the foster care community, promoting a greater understanding and empathy for the individuals and families we support.” 

“The biggest take away for me was the fact that she spoke about how she overcame many obstacles,” said LaShonda Walker, SIUE web specialist, “and how she rose above those challenges to become the person she is today – strong, confident, with the strength and knowledge to conquer the world.” Walker has three foster daughters, ages 19, 17 and 15. 

“I was almost in tears listening to her, because she was such a great motivational speaker who not only spoke from her heart, but also from personal experiences,” added Walker. “Also, it’s good to know that it takes a village to progress in life, and you never have to do this alone.” 

Gordon’s story of pain became one of promise and purpose as she realized she wanted to go after positive things for herself and to serve as a conduit of good for others. Some of Gordon’s experiences and accomplishments include graduating from Soldan High School in St. Louis, participating in extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, band, student government and Harris Stowe’s Upward Bound Program. She was also a law intern with C. Marshall Friedman Employment’s law firm and was an U.S. Congressional House Page for the late U.S. Rep. William L. Clay, Sr. Gordon attended the historically Black college, Wilberforce University in Ohio on a four-year William L. Clay Presidential Scholarship. She completed school in three years and returned a year of the scholarship funds.  

Gordon holds degrees in political science/pre-law, business administration, and human resource management. She has spent more than a decade working with Missouri foster care youth, a decade supporting an independent child welfare agency focused on foster and adoptive care, and a decade supporting a local nonprofit funder that invests millions of community dollars into child welfare agencies focused on helping foster care youth. 

She also serves on a local RESPOND Advisory Committee with the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition, is on the board of directors for Girls in the Know and is a BIG for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. 

“My journey has truly come full circle,” said Gordon. 

Gordon’s immediate resilient future involves the upcoming release of the book, “Tenacity: The Deconstructing G.R.I.T. Collection,” by Jenifer Bardot, which will be released on Nov. 1. More than 40 women share inspiring stories of fearless courage, bold determination, and persistent self-motivation to achieve personal success. In Gordon’s chapter, she shares her journey and the building blocks of her tenacity. 

She will also soon release: "Gordon Visionary Journal Series," which will include dozens of journals that demonstrate and reinforce how individuals can redefine words, to redefine their lives. Her publication, “Accept the Challenge: Five Practical Techniques to Business Resilience and Strengthen Mental Wellbeing,” is an interactive book with an accompanying journal and will be released in 2024. For more information, contact Gordon at trishargordonllc@gmail.com.

Building Futures serves youth, ages 15-20, who are under the supervision of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The program provides experiences and case management support that develop life skills and self-sufficiency for participants. Services include counseling and training in educational support, post-secondary educational support, vocational/career preparation, budget/financial management, independent living skills, and financial assistance.   

Photos:
Tisha R. Gordon, inspirational speaker, author, coach and mentor, talks about the importance of resilience. 

SIUE Web Specialist LaShonda Walker (left) talks about being a foster care parent as Jayda Seawood, 18-year-old BF student and foster care child, listens.