Amnomi Meyers wants you to know, YOU ARE THE PRIZE.

Amnoni became a ward of the state at birth and through her experiences in foster care, she became committed to helping others understand the importance of their voice and experiences so that others can break the cycle of poverty. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to child welfare nationwide. Amnoni is a compassionate and driven individual dedicated to reshaping policies affecting divested populations.

Amnoni is a dynamic child welfare advocate, a public speaker and consultant. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Amnoni now resides in California where she is working as a Resource Family Approval Trainer Specialist for Stanford Sierra Youth and Families. She supports families as they navigate the approval process to become licensed families for young
people in foster care.

In 2017, Amnoni received her Master of Public Administration degree from the National Urban Fellows Program in Manhattan, New York. In this prestigious program, Amnoni was placed at the California Endowment located in Oakland, California where she worked on the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative for young boys and men of color. As a consultant, Amnoni lends a unique perspective to the work as her experience ranges from aging out of the foster care system and returning to the system as a professional to leading efforts that envision a better system for all children.

Amnoni previously worked with the U.S. Children’s Bureau as a child welfare policy consultant as well as interning on both Capitol Hill and The White House Domestic Policy Council helping to influence policy. She graduated from Gordon College with a double major in Social Work and Sociology. Amnoni also completed a Social Work and Peace and Conflict Studies Practicum in San Francisco, CA. She also traveled to South Africa to study race, class, and gende.

Recently, our Founder, Danielle Gletow, asked Amnoni to tell us more about her book, her journey and her why.

First things first, in just 2-3 sentences why should people read this book?

People should read this book if they are interested in learning about how I’ve been navigating the complexities, the struggles, and the journey of understanding who I am as a person who grew up in the foster care system. This memoir will be a great read for anyone interested in understanding their own journey of what makes them uniquely who they are in a world full of intricacies. For those who are unable to see themselves beyond the trauma they’ve faced, this book is about meeting yourself face to face where you are with the understanding that healing is a life-long journey. Stories don’t always have a perfect ending, but it’s about finding inspiration in your own experiences to help yourself and others as they find their way. You will love this book if you are interested in learning about the foster care system, helping young people build social capital, navigate difficult transitions, and if you are looking for ways to get involved!

What was the driving force behind writing this?

At the age of 12 I began writing my story but soon shied away from telling it because of fear. At the time, I was unable to see the beauty in my experiences. Despite negative statistics, I was always determined to create a different story than the one that was written about me. The driving force behind my book was motivated by my little sister and best friend who told me during a pivotal moment in my life to always remember that I was the prize. When she passed away a few years ago, I decided that I wanted to honor myself and her by finally writing a memoir in dedication to her and all others who’ve experienced challenges to always remember that they are the prize.

Give me one message, that if nothing else, people will take away from this?

You Are the Prize is a personal motto and a reminder that we all deserve to know and understand our worth regardless of what we’ve faced or experienced. I am writing this book because as a Black, queer, young person who grew up in the foster care system, I want everyone (especially young people of color) to know that their lives are valuable, and their experiences have meaning.

What do you wake up to tackle each and every day?

Each day, I wake up with the intention of understanding my purpose for the day starting with caring for myself. As someone who has experienced significant losses recently; I take each day with ultimate care. With this in mind, I strive to be the best person that I can be so that I can help influence others. My goal is to continue advocating and advancing policies so that every young person can thrive within the circumstances they’ve lived through.

Tell me what you hope people will learn about those affected by foster care after reading your book?

My hope is that people will understand that young people who experienced foster care are no different than those who haven’t experienced care; they just may not have had the stabilizing systems that their peers have been given. It is here where we lean into these young people not only to offer support and opportunities but understanding who they are in the different identities they hold. My hope is that there will be sustainable and continued innovative policy efforts of keeping families and siblings together whenever possible. Furthermore, I hope that this book will inspire people to get involved in a way that brings healing to individuals, communities, and families.

Who is your favorite author? Why?

One of my favorite authors is Thich Nhat Hanh; a Vietnamese Monk and peace activist. I began reading his work in undergrad as I was pursuing my Peace and Conflict Studies minor. I was inspired by his work on the importance of finding peace in the midst of difficult storms as it’s been relatable to my journey. In addition to his peace activism, he speaks to the importance of mindfulness; and as I’ve been on a journey of being more mindful; his teachings have been helpful. One of my favorite quotes by him is “We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the Earth. Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”

To purchase Amnoni's book, click here.