Special Series

Foster Care is Personal: Youth Speak Out on Family & Stability

This series highlights three writers from Northern California who share their experiences dealing with foster care and how the system affects their family relationships in addition to always being place in a position to survive. Read these inspirational stories here.

4/9/2021

Despite the Challenges of the Past, I Have Hope for My Future

Sabrina Alvarez

Sabrina Alvarez shares her challenges overcoming her early childhood.

I’m not going to start my story with “I have always felt like I never fit in” or “I have overcome all my struggles” because that wouldn’t be true.

Better Care Solutions for Foster Youth with Mental Illnesses

4/9/2021

Finding Stability Within the Child Welfare System

Sabrina Catherine Abong

Sabrina Abong shares how she found stability despite moving through eight different homes.

I have been in eight different homes and this is my experience with the child welfare system. I want child abuse and neglect to end within the child welfare system.

Youth Voice author Shay House on George Floyd's murder and justice for Black Americans.

4/9/2021

‘People with First-Hand Experience Should be at the Forefront of Policy Reform’

Shay House

“I firmly believe that true expertise lies within one’s own experience. Thus, people with first-hand experience should be at the forefront of policy reform.”