Mentoring Foster Youth and Cultivating Leaders
I've always appreciated the honesty and innocence of children. They tell the truth even if it hurts. In a world where adults are overly consumed with pleasing others and often just say what others want to hear, young people are a breath of fresh air.
My journey in the foster care and juvenile dependency system started in college when I interned for different community law clinics. This journey deepened as I spent time getting to know teens living in residential group homes and served as a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem for children in juvenile dependency. This is where I witnessed their strength and resilience first hand. The individual relationships I've developed over the years are priceless. I continue to be inspired by these young men and women each day.
The individual relationships I've developed over the years are priceless.
I believe that all children have the potential to achieve their goals in life. However, not all children are blessed with the same resources. Some children find themselves having to navigate extremely challenging circumstances without proper guidance from their parents. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Children in the foster care system and most importantly, young adults aging out of the system, need mentorship from someone who cares. It's never too late to share knowledge with someone who is eager to learn how to be successful and live a happy life.
“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person's life."
— Jackie Chan