Phoenix spent 14 years in the Oregon foster care system before aging out without any lifetime supports. He lived in 13 different homes, all across the state, during his years in care. Now, Phoenix is attending Southern Oregon University where he is pursuing a Theater Arts degree. Despite the struggles he had while in care, he graduated high school with honors, got into his top choice of college, and started advocating for youth in care through Oregon Foster Youth Connection, National Foster Youth Institute, and FosterClub. He loves volunteering and one of his main goals in life is to eventually have his own theater company that would help foster youth and other opportunity youth, by using theater as a way of mental healing.