CASA-NYC recently launched a new initiative, the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), composed of former and current foster youth. The YLC members are currently completing training in public speaking, storytelling, and professional networking in preparation for presenting to child welfare professionals and volunteers in order to impact change.

On Monday, July 9th, CASA-NYC’s YLC met with Scott Koondel, CBS Executive, former foster youth and current foster care reform advocate. The meeting took place at Hogan Lovells, in the same building where Scott started his first job when he was the same age as many of our YLC members! YLC members Mahogany K., Naya S., Rosie W., Khadijah A., Shyanne H., and Nigel W. were in attendance, in addition to CASA-NYC’s Executive Director, Kerry Moles and volunteer Advocate, Gretchen Holowaty.

The meeting started off with Scott sharing his experiences in foster care before the YLC members joined the conversation to share their career aspirations and how advocacy can change the face of foster care in NYC.

A powerful moment during the discussion was sparked by Khadijah, Mahogany, and Nigel when they asked Scott how he balanced emotions related to his traumatic past with his advocacy. This lead to a discussion on how to deal with the trauma related to being in foster care, whether one has been discharged for several years or several decades. Reliving the pain of the past in order to make an impact and potential change was an important motivator for all of the participants; through the power of sharing their stories, they hope to change the experiences of future youth in foster care.

With this in mind, the conversation shifted to more hopeful endeavors, such as reinventing oneself. Scott shared that he wakes up daily with the mindset of a student; he doesn’t know everything, but by listening to others, he can learn a little more. This was a great experience and first step for the YLC members to envision their own futures and to share their visions for foster care reform.

Look out for more information on the YLC in the future! As Scott said, our members “wear foster care like a badge of honor.” Their storytelling and public speaking abilities make these youth amazing advocates for sharing their own narratives to change the system!

A Word Of Thanks

• Gretchen Holowaty (volunteer extraordinaire!) and Hogan Lovells for so fervently supporting the YLC through the donation of a regular meeting room.

• Scott Koondel, who made time in his busy schedule to meet with the YLC members.

• YLC members, most of whom came to the meeting after work, still in their uniforms, and still gave great energy and life to the conversation with Scott.