The St. Petersburg Times recognized Nicole Marchman, one of CCAI’s 2010 Foster Youth Interns, for her involvement with their local nonprofit agency, Ready for Life. Nicole holds a youth council position for this non-profit, community organization that prepares foster youth for adulthood. CCAI is extremely thankful for Nicole and her continued commitment to using her experience in foster care to become a voice for children across the nation.

The black and white suitcase on Nicole Marchman’s bed was crammed with Beltway-worthy clothes she’d scooped up at discount prices. Marchman, 28, a recent University of South Florida honors graduate, was heading to the nation’s capital for a two-month internship. This was her life almost a dozen foster homes and 17 years since a social worker took her from her parents’ house clutching a black garbage bag stuffed with her belongings. She was 11.

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