Hello! This year, for my 29th birthday, I am fundraising $290 for the National Foster Youth Institute’s Los Angeles chapter. NFYI connects current and former foster youth across the country with elected representatives and decision-makers to help educate, inform and influence policy. I love that their work elevates foster youth voices so that people with firsthand experience in the child welfare system have a seat at the table and lead us all towards systemic change.

Now that Los Angeles is has been my home now for a year, I want to support my local community and neighbors. "The most recent census of unhoused Angelenos conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority found that the county had 3,029 homeless transition age youth (young adults 18-24 who are leaving foster care). Housing instability is a critical issue for many foster youth, particularly those who are aging out of care with no support system, and thus a focus for this chapter." In addition to housing, they also focus on juvenile justice and access to higher education.

This organization's work is especially important and personal to me as an adoptee. I am so thankful for the people and groups who've helped me develop my voice as an adoptee and speak to and about my experiences—to both educate and heal. I love that this group is doing that for foster youth and so much more.

Hear more about the local LA chapter here: