I Speak Change. Youth Speak Involvement.

At 15-years-old, I was placed into Arizona’s child welfare system. From this experience, I discovered just how challenging every aspect of life becomes while in foster care. As I recognized the need for social change my passion for studying social work emerged. I believe education and a strong support system play a vital role in self-development and so I sought to make a difference by attending Arizona State University. I became involved in programs that aligned with my experiences in the child welfare system, as well as my belief in the power of education to impact youth who have experienced foster care. .

The Armstrong Family Foundation Scholarship and Bridging Success are two of the programs that I am involved in at ASU. In each of these programs, I am surrounded by a community of people and resources. I always have faculty, coordinators and mentors to turn to when I need support including help with financial aid. I have also made friends who are like family who provide a great social support.

I joined the board of Fostering Advocates Arizona to make a difference in the lives of youth who experienced foster care by supporting systematic changes to address the disparities and needs of foster youth. Overall, I would like to advocate for as many individuals who have experienced foster care as I can through my leadership and involvement with Fostering Advocates Arizona as well as clubs and programs at ASU.