Honoring Jim Foster (1942-2024)
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our founder, Jim Foster.
Jim saw an immense need for belonging and connection amongst gay youth in the late 80's and jumped into action. His commitment to our community has saved countless lives, created a space for queerness to thrive, and held our community in loving arms through his lifetime and beyond. Jim founded our Youth Peer Support Group with Beverlee Laird in 1990 and it continues to this day. Jim's vision for a Sonoma County that values and respects its LGBTQIA+ community is at the center of all the work we do and the programs we create.
We continue this work in Jim's name and honor him as our queer ancestor, without whom we would not be here today.
Thank you, Jim for your eternal flame that burns in each person who has been supported by Positive Images. We love you and we promise to continue to bring your spirit into everything we do.
"I got 32 years with Jim Foster in my life. Hell yah. Jim’s entire career (as a therapist, a teacher and co-founder of Positive Images) was a labor of love. He paid the rent but not much more. He was fueled by a deep commitment to safety for queer youth and a commitment to individual and collective growth and healing. It is in these things that he was a mentor to me. Jim was a mentor and a model to so many. I simply would not be the man I am today nor would I be doing the work I am doing, both paid and not paid, without his influence. He taught me about serving the community; he gave me a different, less toxic image of masculinity; and he exposed me to ideas, authors and films that expanded my worldview. ... Jim came into my life at a time when my relationships with older men were non-existent or painful. In his dying he taught me about accepting loss, about the pain of losing capacity. Jim was my biggest cheerleader. He wrote me books of recommendation letters. He married [my spouse] and I. He delighted in my energetic son. He was my mentor, my friend and my elder. He had a contagious enthusiasm and I can hear him now, noticing he is no longer tethered to his body, noticing his freedom in spirit, and yelling loudly “RIGHT ON!”. Blessing Jim. I love you so much. And thank you, thank you, thank you!" - Christopher Bowers
"I am who I am today because of Positive Images and Jim Foster. When I arrived at Sonoma State in 1997 I had just lost my father and was dealing with my family’s reluctance to accept me as a queer woman. I was learning who I was in the context of the world but with my then-girlfriend-now-wife attending college in Indiana, I was going it mostly alone. Because of Jim and Positive Images, I was able to develop a healthy sense of self and I learned tools that have lasted me a lifetime. Of course, I also made some amazing and beautiful friends and became connected to the community in ways that would not have been possible without PI.
Jim was a beautiful soul who could draw you in and make you feel special and loved. He taught me how to set and maintain boundaries so I could keep myself safe. His legacy lives on in the many many lives he has touched. I now lead my company’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group in hopes that I can give others just a little bit of what Jim Foster gave me. Big big love to everyone Jim touched." - Liz Heyer (Rey)
"Jim and I worked closely during my short period as president of SRHS GSA club. I was always so impressed by his compassion and love for his community. I have so many fond memories of going to other local HS GSAs with him and holding talks about the urgency of protecting our LGBT youth. Jim was a corner stone of the LGBT community in Sonoma and he will be sorely missed. The work is not over, and I hope that we all can lead in his absence to further protecting LGBT children not only in Sonoma but in this country. I will carry you close Jim every step of the way as we fight for the future. Rest in power."
"I know my kids are growing up in a better world because of what Jim brought into it. They can keep more honest and more complete thanks to PI and the founding efforts that Jim and others put in." - Ben Saari
"Jim was a rock for us at SRHS, he was a proud gay man who didn’t care who knew. His platinum blonde hair was always a welcome sight... His laughter and smile made difficult days better... He meant more to me than I ever got to tell him." - MJ Michaud
"Jim and Positive Images have been a community partner to CASA and youth in foster care since the 90's. Jim has allowed us to provide children and youth in foster care who either identify as LGBTQ+ or are questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation a more equitable advocacy and has taught many Court Appointed Special Advocates how to show up as an ally. He also taught our CASA volunteers how to model acceptance and support while actively ensuring their rights are protected and their well-being is prioritized via the programs at Positive Images.
Jim was absolutely a champion for youth and the memories will live forever!" - Heloisa Heinen