Joshua Hatch is one of 25 youth who were selected to participate in the Foster Club All-Star Intern Program, a prestigious opportunity which allowed him to travel to Oregon to attend leadership and team building training, as well as participate in events throughout the country. These experiences gave Hatch and fellow interns the opportunity to share their personal stories and insights with current and former foster youth, as well as youth advocates.
After seven weeks of intense training, the interns attended the Oregon Teen Conference, where Hatch shared keynote speaking duties with another youth. He also participated in planning and facilitating foster youth conferences in Portland, Oregon and Tacoma, Washington. He will continue to participate in similar conferences throughout the year.
Hatch enjoys sharing his personal story and encouraging youth who are transitioning out of foster care. “I want them to know that they all have a place in life, regardless of their circumstances or history,” he said. “They can reach their goals.” When asked what he’s gained from the internship, Hatch said, “I think I’ve learned to have patience with people and listen to different points of view…I’ve also learned how to travel.”
While Hatch spent more than eight years in foster care, he has been able to take advantage of many opportunities available to him, including receiving FCCS’s 2014 Jack Donahue Scholarship, as well as his current internship. He is currently entering his third year at Wright State University, where he is majoring in psychology and is president of the Black Student Union, as well as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Hatch enjoys writing and performing poetry in his spare time.
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