Justin has gone from the foster care system in South Carolina all the way to Yale University, where he is currently a junior majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and minoring in Global Health Studies. Justin’s passion to advocate for children who do not have a voice is what made him a great candidate for CCAI’s 2017 Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program®. 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, Justin 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, Justin 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.
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) - Washington, D.C. requests this wish for Justin.
One Simple Wish posts the wish to the website.
Karen grants the wish for Justin! Thanks Karen.
"Justin, I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments. Yours will be a real voice for others in DC this summer. I hope your policy paper will change minds and in turn change the world of kids at risk. Thank you for all your hard work!"
Martina sent an update on the wish for Justin.
"Karen, Thank you again for supporting another one of our former foster youth. Your continuous generosity allows them to use their voice to advocate for change and as you can imagine…this is priceless. We are grateful for your commitment to making a lasting difference in Justin’s life as he pursues his dream to improve child welfare policies and for that we cannot thank you enough. Many blessings to you, Martina Arnold, Director of Development CCAI"
Karen sent an update on the wish for Justin.
"Justin is going to have an amazing experience in DC. My heart aches for kids who age out of the "system" and don't have a family to lean on. Justin is going to do amazing things! : ) Karen"
One Simple Wish sends the gift to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) - Washington, D.C. for Justin.
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) - Washington, D.C. receives the wish!
Justin 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!"