Episode 70: Tori Hope Petersen

In this episode Tori Hope Petersen shares her story. Spending years in the foster care system, Tori finds a community and a God that pursued her well, gave her opportunities, and instilled hope for a different outcome. Tori shares about finding a God that loved her like a good Father and how she started identifying as a beloved child of God.

Tori is a former foster youth letting her Abba be known. After an adverse childhood, Tori has overcome the odds. Now she is a leading advocate for vulnerable youth and families, a sought out speaker, and influential social entrepreneur. In 2020, she founded the Beloved Initiative to grant people who are often unseen and unheard, opportunities to see that the worst parts of their lives can be used for Good — to glorify God. 

Tori has been featured by Child Welfare Gateway, Proverbs 31 Woman, Global Leadership Network,the National Council for Adoption and many other platforms educating the child welfare community and beyond. Tori has presented policy recommendations to White House Policy Staffers and congressmen and women on how to improve the foster care system. In August of 2022, Tori’s book “Fostered” will be published through B&H. You can pre-order it now! 

A  leading voice in child welfare, Tori is a reminder to have empathy and understanding for those who are different than us as she leads a life of genuine compassion! Her story is one of hope and points to the work of God in her life, while showing others what God can do in their lives!

Tori's book:
Fostered: One Woman's Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family through Foster Care

Tori's recommendation:
Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist