For me selfless love is having people who make you feel welcome, people who listen to you and people who make sure that you are safe and stable.

I have found this with One Voice IMPAACT (OVI), Selfless Love Foundation’s youth voice initiative. When I attended my first OVI training, I was nervous. But Diamond, OVI’s Youth Engagement Specialist made me feel welcomed, so I started opening up a little bit.

They gave me a safe space to have a voice; they gave me the spotlight that I never had before. I felt like I could talk about my problems and issues that I have seen first-hand as a youth who aged out of the child welfare system at 18 years old.

I was amazed by all the efforts that OVI has put toward many communities across Florida, and I was so eager to learn more. Since I am a college student at Saint Petersburg College, my psychology class is doing a project on non-profit organizations. Of course, I chose Selfless Love Foundation because I would like many of my peers to learn about the good that Selfless Love does for foster youth. I have learned a lot through my project about Selfless Love Foundation and how it began in July of 2015.

Their first project called Brown’s Harbor was dedicated to giving aged out foster youth a chance for independence through supportive housing. As many know, it is very difficult for youth to find housing after turning 18 due to a lack of guidance and support. I would like to thank all of the amazing women and men who dedicated their time to supporting the Selfless Love Foundation. Thank you for all that you do!