What if the resilience of one person could transform the lives of countless foster children? In this episode, we’re joined by Rob Scheer, the founder of Comfort Cases, who opens up about his extraordinary journey from a challenging childhood in the foster care system to becoming a beacon of hope and change for children in need. Rob shares the heart-wrenching story of growing up as the youngest of ten siblings, highlighting the harsh realities and minimal choices within the foster care system. Despite overwhelming obstacles, Rob’s commitment to creating a positive impact shines through as he emphasizes the fundamental need for compassion and care for all children.
Listeners will be moved by Rob’s candid recounting of the emotional struggles he faced while navigating the foster care system alone, often feeling like an outsider in what was supposed to be his home. Witness his inspiring journey of perseverance, from the disillusionment of being forced out at 18 to the triumph of high school graduation against all odds. As Rob joins the U.S. Navy, he seeks an escape from his past and a stepping stone to a brighter future. This narrative is not only a testament to his grit and determination but also a powerful reminder of the systemic hurdles faced by those growing up in foster care.
Rob’s story takes a transformative turn when he embraces fatherhood, deciding to adopt children with his husband, Reese. He shares the challenges and joys of building a family, reflecting on how his aspirations shifted from material success to providing a loving and dignified home for his children. Through this life-altering decision, Rob challenges societal norms, revealing the unexpected fulfillment that comes with prioritizing family. Join us as we explore Rob’s unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, offering a heartfelt narrative that underscores the importance of love, dignity, and resilience in the journey towards creating a better world for foster children.
Episode Highlights
Starting a Business, Building a Family: Rob’s commitment to creating Comfort Cases, an organization providing essentials and dignity to foster children, is rooted in his own experiences of neglect and resilience. He emphasizes the critical need for compassion and care for all children, drawing from his personal journey of overcoming a traumatic childhood to build a loving family. Navigating Foster Care System Alone: The stark realities of the foster care system are laid bare as Rob recounts the feeling of being an outsider and the harsh practice of “respite” care. His narrative sheds light on the systemic issues and the emotional toll of being treated as a second-class member in foster homes. Despite these challenges, Rob’s story is one of hope, as he pursued education and eventually graduated high school, defying the odds stacked against him.
Overcoming Adversity and Finding Success: Rob’s decision to join the U.S. Navy, despite facing a medical discharge, marks a turning point in his journey. His story of survival and resourcefulness during this period underscores the power of grit and determination. He found new opportunities and built a successful career, showcasing the transformative potential of perseverance.
Creating Comfort Cases for Foster Children: Rob’s life took a transformative turn with his decision to adopt children with his husband, Reese. Together, they founded Comfort Cases, a testament to their commitment to giving back and redefining success. Through their organization, they challenge societal norms and provide foster children with dignity and love, reinforcing the importance of empathy and community support.
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Website: https://innovativewealth.com/
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Connect with Rob here:
Website: https://comfortcases.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob_scheer
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About Rob:
Over forty years ago, Rob Scheer entered foster care carrying a tattered and torn trash bag. He aged out of foster care at the age of 18, became homeless, and again carried his possessions in a trash bag. After serving in the military and moving on to have a successful career as a banker/mortgage industry, Rob, along with his husband Reece, decided to grow their family by adopting from the foster care system. When his children arrived on his doorstep with their belongings in trash bags. Rob was floored. How, after forty years, were children in the foster care system still carrying their things in a bag used for trash? Rob and his family decided it was time to change this practice and the idea for Comfort Cases was born. The first Packing Party was held in December of 2013 and shortly thereafter Comfort Cases was established as an official 501(c)3. 11 years later, 255,000 + backpacks filled with essential goods for youth in foster care in the US and UK have been distributed FOR FREE. Since being founded in 2013, Comfort Cases has been featured on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, The View, and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, just to name a few. In 2017, an Upworthy video featuring Comfort Cases received over 150 million views and in 2018 Rob Scheer was named one of CNN’s Heroes. Rob and Reece Scheer are also featured in Bryce Dallas Howard’s documentary film Dads on AppleTV+. Rob is the host of the weekly podcast, Fostering Change, ranked the #1 Podcast for Adoption and Foster Care issues for 4 consecutive year and is author of A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time.
