Category: Foster Youth Internship

Your daughter is so lucky to have you.

As I was riding the train home from work last night reading essays from some of the 120 Foster Youth Intern (FYI) hopefuls, a conversation behind me caught my attention.  There was a man on the phone evidently talking to his soon-to-be college graduate daughter.  He was giving her advice on upcoming job interviews, telling her how many days to wait before she should follow-up, even right down to a specific reply when turning down a job offer.  I sat there reflecting on how beneficial just one conversation like this would have been to the foster youth whose life stories I was reading.  I wanted to turn around and say to the man, “your daughter is so lucky to have you.”

I went back to reading the FYI essays wondering where these former foster youth would receive guidance such as this that each young adult needs.

One applicant spoke about the need for people to step up and offer guidance to youth who have the desire to attend college, “This was a challenge I had to face alone and I think that many youth give up on this dream because they don’t know where to start.  I think if educational opportunities were provided to youth, they would take it.”

Another applicant wrote, “Many times foster youth only need someone to take an interest in their future and well-being.  Providing them with tools and resources will help to ensure youth are on the path to receiving degrees instead of homelessness, unemployment, or incarceration, as many foster youth face once they are emancipated.”

“Instead of feeling proud and excited about being celebrated for the achievement of graduating from high school and being accepted into college, I was troubled by the fact that I knew that there were many other foster youth should have been there with me.”

In a few short months, the 2011 Foster Youth Interns will arrive in DC full of passion and ideas for improving the road ahead for those still left behind in the system.

Do you know a former foster youth who wants to make a difference?

The deadline for CCAI’s 2011 Foster Youth Internship program is this Friday, January 7th.  The FYI program brings former (or current) foster youth to Washington, DC for a summer internship in a Member of Congress’ office.  During the program, interns gain valuable work experience while sharing their ideas for improving the foster care system with federal policymakers and advocates.  CCAI also coordinates events throughout the summer, including networking lunches to weekend retreats.  Please encourage the former foster youth you know to apply to this life-changing experience.  Here are what people are saying about the program:

 

“Spending all summer in Washington, DC advocating for foster youth all over the nation will forever be one of the greatest memories in my life” -Mason, FYI 2008

 

 


 

 

“CCAI opened doors and provided incredible opportunities for me.” -Keshia, FYI 2009

 

 

 

 

“The staff at CCAI and my fellow interns will forever be in my heart. This experience was nothing short of amazing.” – Markus, FYI 2010

 

To be eligible to participate, youth must have completed at least 4 semesters of college or vocational school by May 31, 2011, and must have spent at least 24 consecutive months in foster care at any point in their lives.  Visit the ‘Apply to FYI’ page for more information and the application.

If you missed the video about the program, be sure to watch it here.

foster youth internship opportunity

To highlight that CCAI is accepting applications for our 2011 Foster Youth Internship program now through January 7th, I wanted to share a quick video clip and update from Nicole, one of our 2010 FYIs.

During the program, Nicole shared that she faced many barriers while in foster care, such as lack of educational stability, which as a result led to her dropping out of high school, though she later earned her GED.  She lost contact with her sisters because of the lack of sibling rights that exist.  In addition, she was never taught basic life skills, such as how to cook.  These barriers and recommendations for ways the system can address them was included in the 2010 FYI Policy Report that was distributed to policymakers and advocates across the country.

Nicole was an exceptional FYI intern while spending the summer in DC, and was offered a permanent position with her placement where she continues to work today.  Just recently, she was featured on Ms. E HeartLady’s talk radio show to discuss her experiences in foster care.  Here at CCAI, we are proud to call Nicole a former FYI intern, and are excited to see where her experience and passion will take her in the future!

If you know of any former foster youth who may be interested in this program, please encourage them to visit http://www.ccainstitute.org/fyiapply or contact CCAI.

One Former Foster Youth Transitions to Life on Capitol Hill

In the early month April, I was preparing for my summer internship in Washington, DC.  As I boarded the airplane on May 29th leaving Clearwater, Florida, I remembered saying, “this is just the beginning of a new life.”  I had just graduated with my Bachelor’s and was ready to start my career fighting for foster youth in our nation’s capital.

During my first week in Washington, I thought it would be hard to adjust with no family or friends around. However, as the days went on, I realized that it was time for me to go after my dreams and truly learn through this experience.  I spent the summer interning with the Senate Finance Committee and being a part of the policy world.

As the end of my internship neared, I was faced with a tough decision of staying in DC to pursue my dream, or returning home to my siblings and friends and the only life I only ever knew.  I decided this was my chance to make something happen for myself, and I approach my supervisors expressing my interest to stay in the position longer.

I’m excited to report that for three weeks now I have been working as a “Deputy Intern Coordinator Assistant”.  I could not be where I am today without the experience I had this summer as a FYI Intern.  I was forced out of my comfort zone and have conquered many fears that ultimately led me  to reach this goal I had set of obtaining a permanent job in DC.

Fellow 2010 FYI Interns, you guys encouraged me to be steadfast in my dreams and not let anything get in my path!  There were days, many of you made me laugh, but most importantly, you all showed your love and passion to make a difference within the child welfare system.  Together, we can make a change and provide hope to the thousands of children in foster care.  Just remember, no matter where you are, or what you’re going through, we are family and family stick together.

CCAI, thank you for believing in us and opening our eyes to the world of endless opportunities made available!  Five years ago, I would have thought I was dreaming!  But, because of you, I have been exposed to a new world of opportunities, new life journey and a forever family. Because of your endless dedication, I have been given an adopted family (always dreamed of), through Carri.  Thank you so much.  This allowed me to see how God works and realize those who surround me, truly care and want to see me proposer.  Because 5 years from now- you will know you had a part of my success!

-Nicole Marchman, 2010 Foster Youth Intern

2010 Foster Youth Interns Leave Their Mark on Capitol Hill

CCAI is proud to announce the release of the 3rd annual policy recommendations report authored by the 2010 Foster Youth Internship Class.  Nicole, Sam, Jeremy, Serena, LaTasha, Markus, Wendy, Josh, and Victor spent their summer in DC reading reports and analyzing legislation related to 3 major topics in child welfare: Federal Financing, the Adoption and Safe Families Act, and the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act.  This report is their way to forever leave their mark on federal policymakers.

These individuals arrived in DC with passion and a purpose: to improve the foster care system for their 463,000 brothers and sister in care.

Markus spent his summer learning about the Adoption and Safe Families Act.  It was 2 years after he had aged out of the California foster care system before he even learned that there is such as thing as foster care adoption.  He spent 16 years in foster care not knowing that kids were adopted from foster care, or that this could have been an option for him.

Wendy chose to spend her summer studying federal financing of the foster care system.  She entered care after years of watching her widowed father struggle with grief and later alcoholism.  Wendy’s frustration was that had her father known about services available to them, she and her siblings could have avoided being placed in foster care.

As you read through the pages, remember the 9 individuals who made themselves vulnerable in sharing their personal stories.  They have spent a collective 81 years in the foster care system and have many ideas to share about how to improve the system.