I feel as if I am making a difference in my life since I got involved with One Voice IMPAACT (OVI). I have met some AMAZING women that have influenced me to take control of my community. OVI not only helps young adults and youth formerly in foster care but also gives back to the community.

OVI’s approach makes youth with lived experience in foster care become comfortable enough to feel safe. I am honored to be a part of OVI, because I really want to make a difference and so many women have inspired me to help the system and fix the flaws.

A lot of young adults don’t know about the resources available to them in their community, so they tend to struggle. I want to be able to break that cycle. I want all of us to succeed in life. Even though our childhood or teenage years were not so great, we can still become somebody.

I will advocate for youth and young adults to make sure they are comfortable and not only that but successful. I am successful today because of the women that I’ve had in my life that I have met through the system. Other young adults who age out of the system can become successful with support of caring case workers and organizations like OVI.  

OVI has not only taught me about the importance of knowing about the policies that drive the system but also about the strength of youth voices. I can’t wait to start my journey as a child welfare worker because I am ready to make a difference. I am honored to become a part of OVI. I love the meetings we have and sessions to help us understand how we can change the way child welfare employees view our older youth and young adults. All we need is a voice, to be heard, and to be able to have that guidance to be successful. As a community, we got this!! Join the youth voice movement, and sign the pledge today!