Cultivating Young 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. 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 and experience with someone who is eager to learn.
Art Imitates Life
Dominic, Age 15
My face and hair are black and white and look like a mask because my mother’s death has put me in a situation where others have been placed in control over me. My eyes are the only part of my face that is in color. Eyes are said to be the window to your soul. The color in them represents my emotions and feelings, and the hopes and dreams that live deep inside me. The very center of my eyes however are black because I don’t let people see inside to my true self.
Skyler, Age 12
The face in my portrait is in black and white because there are some parts of my life that are out of control. These are mostly things on the outside, like rules and schedules. My hair, eyes, and mouth are in color because they represent the inside of me. The part no one but me can control. My hair represents my brain. I made it red because I am creative and independent. My eyes are a bright blue green. I chose this color because I saw a photograph of a girl with eyes like this in a museum. When I read about the photograph it said that the girl’s eyes were very powerful and captured her determination to survive. I too want to be powerful and survive. My shirt is almost the same color and says “strong” because I must be strong and watch out for myself. My lips are in color because I have control over what I say and can use my voice to influence others.
William, Age 14
I am facing forward in my portrait because I choose to look to the future. The black background behind me represents my past. In the past I had little control over what happened to me. I do not dwell on the past however, because it can’t be changed. My head represents the present. It is changing from black to color. Right now, I feel that I am free to make my own decisions about half the time. The other half of the time decisions are made for me. My body is gray because physically I am still confined, even though mentally I am gaining freedom. The future is represented by the bright stripes in front of me. It is full of life and opportunities. I hope in the future I will have even more freedom to set my own course.
Derricka, Age 14
My portrait is done to look like a cartoon because my life feels so unreal and is never normal. My character is done in black and white because I do not have control over my life. Most of what happens to me is determined by the rules and procedures of others. I feel like I am living detached and away from normal life and the rest of the world. The colorful background surrounding me represents this normal world. One day I hope that I too will be a part of it.
“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person's life."
— Jackie Chan