Youth Voice Writing Contest

Youth Voices Rising Writing Contest essay finalist Shannon Mickle writes about the connection between foster care, juvenile justice, and homelessness.

Youth Voices Rising Writing Contest poetry finalist Gilbert Velazquez-Macedo writes about how the foster care-to-prison pipeline impacts mental health.

Youth Voices Rising Writing Contest essay finalist Atorrie Burrell writes about how support can end the foster care-to-prison pipeline.

Youth Voices Rising Writing Contest poetry finalist Haley Bartow writes about the struggles of aging out of foster care.

Youth Voices Rising Writing Contest essay finalist Beza Woche writes about laws that target folks who experience homelessness.

Youth Voice Writing Contest poetry winner Tierra Lamore writes about how the foster care and juvenile justice system made them feel like an outsider.

Youth Voices Rising Writing Contest essay winner Deshawn Rankins writes about how foster care gave him access to more opportunities.

In this poem, Bee Fowler emphasizes the importance of self-care by leaving a message on its answering machine.

Jazmine Anderson writes in this poem about how safety can sometimes be what you make it.