Voices for Virginia’s Children is looking for 20 young people with lived experiences in Virginia’s foster care system and formal/informal kinship care to participate in “Uplifting Young Voices: Foster and Kinship Care Advocacy Day” in January 2020. Youth will be a part of a cohort where they will learn how to share their stories and experiences with others and provide feedback on policies that affect them.

The purpose of the cohort is to create a space for youth to have a voice at the table and establish meaningful impact in the systems that have impacted their lives. Youth in the cohort will be provided with an advocacy workshop and media training in the fall, as well as activities that will help them get to know each other. The advocacy day event will include an overnight stay in Richmond where young people will have an evening reception with legislators and key leaders, followed by a day of legislative visits, a press briefing, and a round table discussion with key administrative staff to advance reforms in the foster care system.

Youth must complete an application to be considered for this opportunity. We cannot guarantee this opportunity again. Applications are now open and are due October 4th by 5pm! Please contact Allison Gilbreath at allison@vakids.org or 804-649-0184 ext. 102 or Sophia Booker at sbooker7@vcu.edu for more information.

Application Criteria

• Age: 18-26
• Must have been in Virginia foster care or kinship care at one point in time
• Must currently reside in Virginia

Participants Receive

• $500 stipend
• Overnight hotel accommodations
• Gas reimbursement for travel 30 miles outside of Richmond

Dates of Events (must attend all to be included)

• November 2nd – 10am – 5pm (advocacy training)
• January 14th – evening only
• January 15th – advocacy day

Applications are now closed.

 

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