Rooted Leader: Sophia
Supporting Foster Youth in SGV
How can we bring justice to the Foster Care System?
Building on the work of her sister Angela (former RLP leader!), Sophia sought to expand Youth4Ward - an organization that supports foster care children’s physical and mental health
“Throughout my project, I discovered the alarming amount of injustices there are within the foster care system. Whether it was abuse, neglect, or separation, the statistics within these categories were alarming. ”
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
Constituents: Foster Youth in the San Gabriel Valley
Finding key stakeholders posed as a challenge, considering the system we aimed to change has been in place for decades.
Allies: Foster parents and others seeking change
We identified foster youth, foster parents, and any individuals looking for change as allies, and their own decision makers.
Key Decision Makers: Local & Federal officials in Foster Care System
Although it is difficult/near impossible to reform a federal system, awareness among society is achievable through organizations, protests, and more. Creating Youth4ward gave an outlet to not only help children within the foster care system, but it aimed to bring light to the injustices within.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Check out Sophia’s recommendations for youth activists who are looking to support the foster youth community.
Be an advocate:
Creating blogs/articles on your topic allows others to become more informed on topics that they had no prior knowledge of. Whether the blogs are about interviews conducted, statistics, or even offering resources, this kind of awareness will reach others.
Be involved as possible with your community. Create partnerships with other organizations and table/volunteer at events. Tabling at events allows others to become familiar with your organization, your mission, and the problems themselves.
Conduct Interviews:
When holding interviews with former foster youth, you are able to receive insight on your topic by somebody who experienced it first hand. For example, I had the opportunity to interview my mentor, Nenia, a former foster youth. She provided me with new information and her experience that I couldn't have found elsewhere.
Education:
Holding workshops at schools or events regarding the issues of the foster care system. Students are able to indulge this information and either become advocates themselves, or are inspired to address a problem they feel strongly towards.