Spotlight: Permanency Matters

Age: 28

State: Pennsylvania

City: Bloomsburg

Years in Care: 21 years

Number of Placements: 150

System Exit: Aged out

Email: luvmeasiam14@gmail.com

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It was May 2017, I was in Washington D.C with 99 other youth who have experienced foster care from all across the county to talk to congress and make our voices heard in hopes of reminding them of their impact on the state of the current child welfare system. We were grouped by states, and that is where I met Tasha.  a bubbly, fun, understanding, and by far one of the most intelligent and driven individuals I’ve met by far. 

A moment that stands out from that week in D.C, during our town hall, where we sat in front of Nancy Pelosi , she stood up and bravely spoke about her life. I remember everyone in the audience being moved by a story that includes heartache, a lot of pain, but also demonstrates resilience, triumph, and the strength of many youth like herself who age out of care.

With B.A in American Sign Language from Gallaudet University, B.A Theater Arts and Special Education Degree , B.A deaf and hard of hearing education , B.A Biology, Master In Theater Arts and Special Education and a PhD in Audiology from Bloomsburg University.

Listen to Episode 2, Permanency Matters here