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2010 Foster Youth Internship Program: One Summer, A Lifetime of Opportunities
This year’s Foster Youth Internship (FYI) program led way to many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for the ten interns who made up the 2010 FYI Class. Activities such as meeting with Members of Congress, officials from the Administration, and leading experts in the child welfare field all shaped their experience. In addition, they were invited to present their ideas and perspectives to the White House Domestic Policy Council and joined Members on the floor of the Senate to the late Senator Byrd.
They used each and every opportunity they had to engage federal policy makers in discussions on issues such as federal financing of child welfare, the challenge of aging out of foster care, and the fact that not one of the ten interns had been given the option of adoption while in foster care. Through such discussions, interns are not only given the chance to inform those working on federal foster care policy but also have the opportunity to learn more about how the system should have impacted their lives. For too many, this internship is the first time they learn of their rights to be adopted or receive financial assistance while attending school.
As always, this summer culminated with the production of a policy report entitled “A New Chapter: Leaving Our Mark on a New Generation.” This report was presented during a briefing for Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, Officials from the Administration and national child advocacy groups. To see a video of this briefing or download a copy of this inspiring report, please click here.
It is not easy after a life of being uprooted and displaced to once again leave behind everything and everyone for a summer of the unknown. As a testament to their unbelievable character, these individuals did just that, continually stepping out of their comfort zone to reach for the common goal they had each individually set: to improve the foster care system for their 463,000 brother and sisters currently in care. These youth will leave this summer to embark in bright futures including law school, graduate school, and careers fighting for improvements to a system they each called “home” for so many years.
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