Monday, July 14, 2025
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Virtual Meeting with Director Wente
On Monday, June 30, 2025, a virtual meeting took place between OHIO YAB representatives and Director Wente and her staff.
- Jay and Yonnae presented about FYI housing vouchers.
- Addison shared concerns related to OhioRISE.
The OHIO YAB deeply values partnering with the Department of Children and Youth, and appreciates the responsiveness of DCY leadership to youth concerns.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
2025 Leadership and Life Skills Summit
Annie Curtis of Columbus Public Health and Holly Jones, the creator and maintainer of the Wellness Project brought yoga mats, blocks, cushions, speakers to play music, coping skill packets, brochures about healing from trauma, and mindfulness activities for participating youth and young adults. Many thanks to Caidyn, Addison, Alexys and Lori for set-up and support of "Exhale."
Director Kara Wente's Opening Remarks reflected DCY's commitment to listen to the insights of young people in and from foster care. Youth participants received shirts as a workshop supply, on which they could write down what they want decision-makers to know. The quote on the back of the shirts came from OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Yonnae Ase: "Behind every policy maker is a person."
Thanks to support from Congregation Beth Tikvah, we had 25 Kitchen Essentials baskets for the raffle, to support transition-age youth. Many thanks to Kristin Camac and Kim Eckhart for helping to store and transport these beautiful baskets, which were initially donated during a Mitzvah Day in April.
Sunday, June 1, 2025
OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Mattie Harrod Promotes the Board
On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Mattie Harrod participated in the Bridges Unscripted: Young Adult Virtual Summit. She actively promoted involvement in the Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board, and 20 young adults expressed interest in joining.
Friday, May 30, 2025
Ohio Senate Finance Committee ~ Legislative Testimony 5/30/2025
On May 30, 2025, foster care alumna Gabriella Craft spoke before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee, and shared why Foster to College Scholarships are vitally important.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Ohio Senate Finance Committee ~ Legislative Testimony 5/29/2025
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, foster care alumni Adam Hassan got up early in the morning to begin his day at the Statehouse. He waited over six and a half hours to provide his testimony - which enlisted positive feedback from Vice Chair Chavez and Senators Hearcel Craig and George Lang.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Ohio Senate Finance Committee ~ Legislative Testimony 5/27/2025
On Tuesday, May 26, 2025, Caidyn Bearfield, Jaleshia Brown and Yonnae Ase provided legislative testimony before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee.
Here are links to videos of each of their testimonials: