The Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America and the OHIO Youth Advisory Board, in partnership with the Montgomery County ADAMHS Board and PCSAO, were proud to celebrate Michael Colbert as Ohio’s 2013 Champion of Change.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Michael Colbert, Champion of Change
The Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America and the OHIO Youth Advisory Board, in partnership with the Montgomery County ADAMHS Board and PCSAO, were proud to celebrate Michael Colbert as Ohio’s 2013 Champion of Change.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Jenny Konrath, 2013 FosterClub Outstanding Young Leader
Foster Care Experience
Jenny Konrath entered foster care at age four, in Chicago, Illinois. At age eight, she was moved to Dayton, Ohio, to live with her aunt, as part of an official interstate foster care placement. One of many things that Jenny takes seriously, and is eager to advocate about is what it's like for foster care youth to be caught in the limbo of dual state custody.
Leadership
Jenny Konrath serves a volunteer in the following capacities:
- 2013 Acting Media Spokesperson of OHIO Youth Advisory Board
- Lead Youth Representative on Ohio's statewide Transitional Housing Task Force.
- Montgomery County VISION Board member
- Selected member of Law and Leadership in Dayton, Ohio
- Member of UCREW, addressing social needs through the development of social enterprise
Jenny has presented as a youth panelist during the NILA Conference, the Ohio CASA conference, and at local workforce development meetings.
As the only Youth Representative on Ohio's statewide Transitional Housing Task Force, Jenny took the initiative to design a Youth Survey, and to reach out to youth all over the state to invite their insights. This was all Jenny's idea. She scheduled phone calls with young people representing multiple regions of the state, throughout Ohio. This is because when Jenny shared insights on the Statewide Task Force, she wanted to represent the Collective Voice of young people in and from foster care throughout Ohio.
Jenny stands out -- clear and simple. If you give her a task, she gets it done. If you provide her with an opportunity, she makes the very most of that opportunity. If you give her a chance to speak on behalf of foster care youth, she always focuses on the Collective Voice and not just her own.
That's rare. That's exceptional. That's important. From the moment that Jenny entered the advocacy arena, she has been focused on the Big Picture. From the time she took her first statistics class, she has been on the lookout for ways for foster care youth throughout Ohio to share their voice.
Awards / Achievements
In March 2013, Jenny Konrath was chosen, in a statewide competitive process, to participate in Three Days On the Hill. After DC-based training and preparation hosted by CCAI and the Office of Representative Karen Bass, Jenny and 11 other Ohio foster care youth met with:
- Representative Pat Tiberi
- Representative Mike Turner
- House Speaker John Boehner
- Becky Shipp, Health Policy Advisor to the Senate Finance Committee
- Senator Rob Portman
Future Goals
Jenny is currently in the process of submitting her application to several colleges and universities. She is thoughtful, articulate and detail-oriented. Her decisions in terms of higher education and her future career will be practical and knowledge-based. And, whether in a paid or volunteer role, her future efforts will include a focus on improving long-term outcomes for young people in and from the foster care system.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Jennifer Justice gives a shout-out to the OHIO YAB in November First Friday
A Message from OFC Deputy Director Jennifer Justice – November 1, 2013
If you’re like me, you probably could use more time. Time to get all your work done, get your house in order, run errands, get to the gym, read a book and, of course, more time to spend with family and friends.
I especially was thinking about the concept of time after I had the opportunity to attend the October meeting of the Ohio Youth Advisory Board (OYAB). Each quarter, youth who are or have been in agency custody gather from across the state to establish connections, discuss their experiences and brainstorm solutions to the problems they share. Thank you to the adult supporters who transport these youth and participate in concurrent independent living program discussions. I know this is a significant time commitment, and I am sure the youth in your care appreciate that you have made their participation a priority.
To conclude OYAB meetings, each youth recounts something “new” and something “good” as a reminder to keep moving forward, because their lives have great potential. At last month’s meeting, an older teen wanted everyone to know that she was being adopted and would not have to leave her foster family when she turned 18. Another teen announced that he soon would turn 18 and become independent. He was both excited and scared about being on his own, and he hoped he could manage to stay in high school. Other youth described their new part-time jobs, their baby’s birthday, and accomplishments in such extracurriculars as band and sports.
It never fails that I walk away from these meetings incredibly impressed by these young people but also aware that, for those still in care, we must ensure that they leave with the permanent connections they need to be productive adults.
Jenny Konrath, FosterClub Outstanding Young Leader
Foster Care Experience
Jenny Konrath entered foster
care at age four, in Chicago, Illinois. At age eight, she was moved to Dayton,
Ohio, to live with her aunt, as part of an official interstate foster care
placement. One of many things that Jenny takes seriously, and is eager to
advocate about is what it's like for foster care youth to be caught in the
limbo of dual state custody.
Leadership
Jenny Konrath serves a volunteer in the following roles: (a.) Montgomery County VISION Board member, (b.) Acting Media Spokesperson of OHIO Youth Advisory Board, (c.) Selected member of Law and Leadership in Dayton, OH, which focuses on teaching legal awareness, (d.) Member of UCREW, designed to address social needs through the development of social enterprise (e.) Lead Youth Representative on Ohio's statewide Transitional Housing Task Force.
Jenny Konrath serves a volunteer in the following roles: (a.) Montgomery County VISION Board member, (b.) Acting Media Spokesperson of OHIO Youth Advisory Board, (c.) Selected member of Law and Leadership in Dayton, OH, which focuses on teaching legal awareness, (d.) Member of UCREW, designed to address social needs through the development of social enterprise (e.) Lead Youth Representative on Ohio's statewide Transitional Housing Task Force.
Jenny believes in making a
difference in the world, by taking action. One area in which she hopes to make
a difference is the foster care system. Her advocacy efforts include focusing
on achieving equal opportunities for interstate youth who are a part of the
foster care system. Jenny is also very passionate about youth who have the
option to live with family members. Her own placement with her aunt provided
Jennifer with the opportunity to reunite with her younger brother.
Jenny has presented as a
youth panelist during the NILA Conference, the Ohio CASA conference, and at
local workforce development meetings.
As the only Youth
Representative on Ohio's statewide Transitional Housing Task Force, Jenny took
the initiative to design a Youth Survey, and to reach out to youth all over the
state to invite their insights. This was all Jenny's idea. She scheduled phone
calls with young people representing multiple regions of the state, throughout
Ohio. This is because when Jenny shared insights on the Statewide Task Force,
she wanted to represent the Collective Voice of young people in and from foster
care throughout Ohio.
Jenny stands out -- clear
and simple. If you give her a task, she gets it done. If you provide her with
an opportunity, she makes the very most of that opportunity. If you give her a chance
to speak on behalf of foster care youth, she always focuses on the Collective
Voice and not just her own.
That's rare. That's
exceptional. That's important. From the moment that Jenny entered the advocacy arena, she has been focused on the Big Picture. From the time she took her first statistics
class, she has been on the lookout for ways for foster care youth throughout Ohio to
share their voice.
Awards / Achievements
In March 2013, Jenny Konrath
was chosen, in a statewide competitive process, to participate in Three Days On
the Hill. After DC-based training and preparation hosted by CCAI and the Office
of Representative Karen Bass, Jenny and 11 other Ohio foster care youth met
with:
- Representative Pat Tiberi
- Representative Mike Turner
- House Speaker JohnBoehner
- Becky Shipp, Health Policy
Advisor to the Senate Finance Committee
- Senator Rob Portman
In May 2013, Jenny
participated in Congressional Youth Shadow Day, and was paired with Congresswoman
Marcia L. Fudge, representing Ohio's 11th District. Participating youth
accompanied their Members of Congress to hearings, meetings, floor votes, and
other activities throughout the morning. These young people had the opportunity
to share their stories with Members of Congress and discuss reforms to the
foster care system.
Future Goals
Jenny is currently in the process of submitting her application to several
colleges and universities. She is thoughtful, articulate and detail-oriented. Her decisions in terms of
higher education and her future career will be practical and knowledge-based. And, whether in a paid or volunteer role, her future efforts will include a
focus on improving long-term outcomes for young people in and from the foster
care system.
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