Speaker • Author • Founder • Advocate
A story worth hearing. A message worth sharing.
Meet JackEdward Schmick — former foster child, published author, and founder of Bags For Buddies. Bringing lived experience, leadership, and a powerful message of dignity, resilience, and meaningful change to audiences.
Founder & President, Bags For Buddies
Meet JackEdward
Not just a story of adversity. A story of action.
At five years old, JackEdward entered the foster care system. Like many children experiencing displacement, he saw his personal belongings transported in black trash bags.
That experience stayed with him. After being adopted at ten, he eventually transformed the memory into a mission: helping children in foster care receive proper bags, essential belongings, and the dignity they deserve.
In 2016, he founded Bags For Buddies. What began as a response to something he personally experienced has grown into an ongoing nonprofit effort with ambitions to reach children nationwide.
Today, JackEdward shares the lessons behind that journey — from navigating childhood uncertainty to building an organization, finding his voice, and challenging others to reconsider the small ways we communicate someone's worth.
Discover Bags For Buddies ↗Speaking Topics
Conversations that stay with you.
Each presentation can be tailored to the audience, event goals, and format. Explore the topics below.
What a Trash Bag Teaches a Child About Their Worth
A personal look at how seemingly small actions can shape a child's understanding of belonging, identity, and self-worth. Through his own foster care experience, JackEdward challenges audiences to recognize the human impact of practices that often go unquestioned.
Who JackEdward Speaks To
A message for every kind of audience.
Speaking opportunities are designed around the people in the room and the outcomes organizers want to create.
Schools & Universities
Resilience, student leadership, service, identity, and the power of taking initiative.
Child Welfare Organizations
A lived-experience perspective on foster care, dignity, belonging, and supporting children.
Conferences & Panels
Thoughtful discussions on advocacy, youth leadership, nonprofit work, and social impact.
Corporate & Community Events
Purpose-driven leadership, community service, and the role organizations can play in change.
Nonprofits & Advocacy Groups
Turning a personal cause into sustained action, building partnerships, and mobilizing supporters.
Youth & Leadership Programs
Encouraging young people to use their experiences, ideas, and voices to make a difference.
Media & Public Recognition
A mission gaining national attention.
JackEdward's work and personal story have been shared through television and university media.
Sharing the mission with Michael Strahan
A national television conversation about JackEdward's foster care experience and the purpose behind Bags For Buddies.
Watch the interview ↗Local roots, meaningful impact
Regional news coverage highlighting the Bags For Buddies mission and the children it seeks to support.
Watch the coverage ↗A student making a difference
University coverage recognizing JackEdward's nonprofit work and appearance on national television.
Read the feature ↗Ways to Connect
The right format for your event.
Inquire about a presentation or conversation tailored to your program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning an appearance?
Can the presentation be customized?
Yes. Inquiries can include your audience, event purpose, preferred topic, and any specific themes you would like addressed.
Does JackEdward speak about his own foster care experience?
Yes. His lived experience is central to many of his messages, including dignity, belonging, resilience, and advocacy.
Are virtual appearances an option?
Virtual speaking and discussion requests are welcome. Availability and format can be discussed during the inquiry.
Can organizations request a panel discussion or interview?
Yes. Organizers can inquire about moderated conversations, panel participation, Q&A sessions, and other event formats.
How far in advance should we reach out?
As early as possible. Include your proposed date, location, audience size, and event details so the request can be reviewed.
Speaking Inquiries
Bring a powerful story and a meaningful conversation to your next event.
Invite JackEdward Schmick to share his experiences, perspectives, and mission with your audience.
Request a Speaking Appearance ↗Please include your organization, proposed date, location, audience, and event format.