"For me, the training was completely eye opening. Before I would have these kids come in and I would ask 'how is it in the group home?' and they would quietly reply: 'fine'. The training challenged me to read so much more into their response." ― Voices of Youth Trainee

"The Voices of Youth training puts a real face on what foster care is. These are real kids, real people, real stories, real needs and real pain. The fact that foster youth have to ask for every single thing ― getting something is a job! Why should anybody in any situation, as a child, have to work so hard to get his or her basic needs met? Life and growing is more than 3 square meals and a roof over your head." ― Voices of Youth Trainee

Change Begins with US!!!

"Speak your mind even if your voice shakes!"

We believe:

• We are the greatest experts on our own lives.
• We believe we have the power and authority to take control of our lives and to determine what is the best for us in the present and future.
• We have the right to receive complete information about our current situation, the truth about why we entered care, and what opportunities are available to us.
• We deserve opportunities to grow, mature, take on challenges and learn from our mistakes. We demand to have a caring environment that is unchanging and honors our thoughts, culture, and individuality.
• To be successful we must be taught skills and have opportunities to practice them in real life situations. When given this, our self-esteem will grow and we will be able to make mature decisions as we emerge as adults.
• We can affect positive changes in our community, schools, homes, and life space.
• Our perspectives are critical and must be included in identifying problems, implementing solutions and celebrating successes.
• We deserve healthy alternatives to placement - including services that keep us at home and in our community. These services must build on the strengths of our families, our community, and ourselves.
• We believe we deserve the skills and the freedom to build and repair relationships with our families ― parents, relatives and other caring adults.
• We believe we must be provided meaningful opportunities to develop skills and build experiences that promote independence as we move into adulthood. Adoption should not be promoted as the only option to achieve permanency for the majority of adolescents in the child welfare system.
• All youth must be prepared to live satisfying, self-fulfilled, healthy and productive lives regardless of whether we are returning home, being adopted, living in an alternative family arrangement or aging out of care.