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About This Wish

$164
The cost of the wish includes the item, 2.9% credit card fee, sales tax and shipping charges (when applicable).
NEEDED BY 04/30

Housing supplies for Keola to attend the Foster Youth Internship Program in Washington, D.C.

Posted Mar 6, 2017
Keola was accepted into the 2017 Foster Youth Internship Program® in Washington, D.C. This is a highly esteemed, life-changing youth empowerment program for young adults who have spent their formative years in foster care, offering them the opportunity to intern in a Congressional office for a summer. As part of the program, Keola will attend retreats, seminars, advocacy trainings and networking events with experts in the child welfare field, in addition interning in a Congressional office. Throughout the summer, Keola will spend time researching policy issues affecting foster children across the country. Keola will write a policy report that is published and presented at both a Congressional briefing and a briefing to the White House Domestic Policy Council, as well as disseminated across the country to child welfare advocates. As a result of the program, federal policymakers are shown firsthand the real-life experiences of youth growing up in foster care, and they take action to improve legislation of the U. S. foster care system. CCAI provides full service, wrap-around care throughout the internship. However, Keola will need the essential housing supplies.

Keola is 33 years old and lives in HI

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.

The Wish Story

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) - Washington, D.C. requests this wish for Keola.

One Simple Wish posts the wish to the website.

Karen grants the wish for Keola! Thanks Karen.

"Keola, I am so excited that you will have this opportunity to go to DC and be a voice for all the kids out there who really need an advocate. Yours is a story that should be heard loud and clear. Work hard, but have some fun. You've earned it!"

Martina sent an update on the wish for Keola.

"Karen, YOU ARE TRULY AMAZING! Your generosity speaks volumes to your commitment to our nation’s youth and providing a platform for them to soar. We are a small organization of six, so we rely on the support of the community and our partner organizations to make sure that these young advocates have all the necessary resources to succeed. I will provide Keola with your kind message. Again, many thanks and blessings to you. Martina Arnold, Director of Development CCAI "

Karen sent an update on the wish for Keola.

"Martina, thank you for all you do for kids like Keola. This is an amazing opportunity and I'm honored to be part of it! Karen"

One Simple Wish sends the gift to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) - Washington, D.C. for Keola.

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) - Washington, D.C. receives the wish!

Keola receives the gift from her case worker!

"In case we haven't said it enough...thank you for supporting One Simple Wish and our amazing kids!"

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