Keola went from the foster care system in the state Hawaii to becoming a recent graduate from the University of Hawaii where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Communication. He understands and is able to empathize with foster care youths on the obstacles they face and through the Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program® he hopes to serve as an advocate on Capitol Hill to enhance youth experiences in the foster care system. The FYI Program is a highly esteemed ten-week congressional internship for young adults who spent their formative years in the foster care system. As part of the program, Keola will participate in networking events with leaders in the business community and child welfare advocates who represent a wide variety of policy and non-policy related disciplines. He will also meet with legislators to discuss important issues that youth in foster care face and their shared vision for bringing about change in this area. At the conclusion of the program, Keola will author a policy report of recommendations on improving the federal foster care system. This report will be presented at a Congressional briefing and a briefing to the White House Domestic Policy Council, as well as disseminated across the country.