Partners with youth and young adults (YYA) ages 13-26 with lived experience in foster care and homelessness to become leaders and advocates for systemic change. Youth Programs focuses on building the power, agency, and opportunity of the youth and young adults who participate in the programs through advocacy and engagement in policy change.

Collaborates with our YYA change makers to educate and activate the community, media, and policy makers, and to ensure that young people are included at decision-making and policy implementation tables. Mockingbird elevates the voices of young people with lived experience in foster care and homelessness, empowering them to share their stories, identify systemic barriers, and co-create solutions.

By centering young peoples’ perspectives, Mockingbird ensures that the policies it champions are responsive to real-world challenges and designed to meet the diverse needs of communities impacted by foster care and youth homelessness.

MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ is a globally recognized, award-winning foster care delivery method that is redefining systems of care by strengthening safety nets for children, youth, and caregivers. Through MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™, experienced foster parents provide support and guidance to 6 to 10 foster families, which creates the structure of an extended family.