Jodie Sweetin Championing Foster Youth as Host of the Foster Love Gala
We are honored to welcome Jodie Lee Ann Sweetin as the host of the upcoming Foster Love Gala in Irvine, California, this Saturday, September 13th!
Jodie is most famously known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the hit television series Full House and its sequel, Fuller House. However, her lifelong work of advocacy across communities is what makes her such an inspiring presence at this event. By seeking to reduce the stigma of addiction, mental health challenges, and more, Jodie Sweetin uses her visibility to support advocacy efforts whenever possible.
Building a Platform for Advocacy
Jodie Sweetin’s work as character Stephanie Tanner on the 90s sitcom television series Full House won her the Young Artist Award as an outstanding young comedienne. After this breakout role, Sweetin appeared in numerous episodes that cemented her status as a beloved star.
After Full House ended, Sweetin moved on to appear in several national commercials and guest roles in independent films and shows. She guest-starred on shows such as Brotherly Love, Party of Five, and Yes, Dear, and appeared in several independent films, including Port City and Redefining Love. Jodie also hosted the Fuse dance competition show Pants-Off Dance-Off and appeared in web series like Can’t Get Arrested. This work, among others, allowed audiences to see her talent beyond her comedic actress role on Full House, and expand her reach to other areas of the entertainment world.
Today, her work continues to expand into hosting, podcasting, and writing, with projects that highlight not only her creativity but also her commitment to using her platform for good.
Through public speaking, interviews, and advocacy initiatives, Jodie Sweetin has been able to connect her personal journey to broader conversations about resilience, recovery, mental health, and social justice.
Jodie Sweetin’s Adoption Experience
As someone who was adopted herself, Jodie has talked about her personal life journey and how that has fueled her passion to advocate for youth who feel unseen. As a host of the Foster Love Gala, we hope this will highlight the families, volunteers, and agencies who are redefining love for foster youth.
Jodie, born on January 19, 1982 in Los Angeles, California, was adopted at two years old. She was a part of an interfamily adoption, as her adoptive father, Sam Sweetin, was her uncle by marriage—Sam Sweetin had previously been married to her biological father’s aunt. Through this connection, Sam and his second wife, Janice, adopted Jodie when she was about nine months old, finalizing the adoption later when she was a toddler.
Sweetin says she did not have a relationship with her biological parents growing up, but eventually came to understand that her adoption was a decision made with her best interests at heart. She has been open about the experience, saying, “[My birth parents] actually made the healthiest decision for me by allowing me to be adopted by another family that could provide better.’
Advocacy Rooted in Personal Experience
Over the years, Jodie Sweetin has been open about her struggles with drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and the recovery process. She has used her platform to break down the stigma that often surrounds substance use and mental health.
In her memoir unSweetined, and through addresses at organizations such as the Council on Recovery and the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Sweetin has brought honesty and compassion to conversations about substance use, stigma, and healing. By sharing her treatment experience and the desire for a normal life after years in the spotlight as an actress on Full House, she gives hope to those navigating their own recovery journeys.
She has also co-hosted the podcast Awkward Conversations with support from the DEA, which aimed to help families talk openly about substance misuse and mental wellness. Her ongoing podcast, Never Thought I’d Say This, discusses parenting alongside her friend and life coach Celia Bahr.
Work with Social Justice, LGBTQ+, and Women’s Rights
Jodie Sweetin has utilized her public platform for youth and families, sharing her experiences with addiction, mental health, and recovery. She emphasizes the importance of programs that support children and families navigating challenges, bringing authenticity and compassion to the conversation.
In 2022, she and her daughters joined Black Lives Matter demonstrations, stating, “I am not afraid to say, I support Black Lives Matter. In a very, very strong way.” She has also supported BIPOC and AAPI communities, spoken out on climate change, and raised awareness for unhoused populations.
Jodie Sweetin participates in activist groups such as Refuse Fascism, reinforcing her role as a consistent and passionate advocate. She has been involved in various protests and demonstrations organized by the group.
In June 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Sweetin joined demonstrations in Los Angeles, publicly affirming her commitment to reproductive rights, saying, “We will continue fighting for our rights. We are not free until all of us are free.” As an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, Sweetin announced her joy for the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act later that year, which ensures protections for same-sex and interracial marriage.
Two years later, in 2024, she appeared in a satirical political ad designed to spark conversation about reproductive choice and reproductive rights in the U.S.
By using creativity and visibility, Jodie Sweetin has found a way to engage audiences outside of traditional activism, showing that advocacy can take many forms.
See you on Saturday!
Jodie’s personal life story has shaped her commitment to her lifelong advocacy work, and we thank her for continuing that work with us.
Her advocacy is centered on compassion, action, and real-world impact. As host of the Foster Love Gala, Sweetin will bring attention to the ongoing needs of foster youth, demonstrating that every donation, whether in clothing items, toys, or monetary support, plays a role in improving a child’s life.
