Letter from our Executive Director
When I was young I remember hearing from adults, “it will get better,” “your experiences will make you stronger,” and “you will understand when you are older.” I remember thinking then that these wellmeaning adults must have forgotten what it is like to be a child. Childhood is the one thing people can and do walk away from. I made a promise to myself that I would not forget.
Fortunately, with the growth of the alumni movement over the last decade, it's obvious that many others also have not forgotten. Last month, I had the privilege of joining with hundreds of young people with lived experience from all over the state. We gathered on the steps of the Capitol to lobby our lawmakers to move forward legislative priorities that will improve the foster care system and help to end youth homelessness. Each of these priorities had been developed by the young people who braved the wind and torrential rain to rally on the steps that day. They know how important it is to make sure that the children who come after us face opportunity rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Having been involved in this work for over 25 years, I have had the privilege of watching our movement grow and mature. With each successive wave of young people and allies who join our movement, we gain momentum.
We are no longer seen as victims. We are now understood as experts who are vital partners in transforming the child welfare system and ending youth homelessness. More and more of us with lived experience are taking advantage of the supports we have advocated for and we are rising into positions of leadership and influence. We are entrepreneurs, engineers, poets and artists. We have become leaders of advocacy organizations, child welfare systems, judges, and legislators.
Whether your childhood was good or bad, we share the same goals. If you had a good childhood, what can you do to help ensure that every child understands what that feels like? If yours was not so great, how can you use your voice to ensure no other child has to have that experience? Remember, if you are not using your position, influence and privilege to advocate for those who have less of those things, you are wasting them. I encourage you to not forget what it was like to be a child, and to keep the momentum building.
Sincerely,
Annie Blackledge
Executive Director