Melissa Stroud's Letter of Support for the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act

Good morning,

My name is Melissa Stroud, and I live in Mahoning County Ohio; although I am originally from Ashtabula County. 

I hold the position of Media Spokesperson for the Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board (OHIO YAB), which is a statewide organization of young people (aged 14-24) who have experienced foster care.

The OHIO YAB exists to be the knowledgeable statewide voice that influences policies and practices that affect all youth who have or will experience out-of-home care.

I am writing to strongly support the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act. As a current foster youth that is very close to turning 18, it matters to me that over a thousand Ohio foster care youth “age out” of care every year. Nationally, this number is approximately 22,000.

Far too often, aging out of foster care means aging into homelessness, whether it's being turned out onto the streets with no support or finding out that foster youth have no place to go when colleges go on break. Foster youth want more than that. What we want most are opportunities to create a successful future.

During our annual Three Days on the Hill trips to DC this past March, the meeting with Representative Michael Turner caught my attention the most. Not only did he seem interested, but he wanted to act as soon as possible. Personally, I support the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act due to the very many struggles foster youth have when trying to pursue their education. Education is an essential aspect of success in today's society; homelessness is one of many struggles foster youth have faced as far as attending their last year(s) of high school and trying to keep up with post-secondary.

I strongly believe this act has great potential to become an amazing resource for our future emancipating foster youth. It's so empowering to know that our statewide board has such an influence on our future generations of foster youth.

The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act has my full support. I believe that this resource will tremendously improve success rates among foster youth, and grant them with additional opportunities to lead and give back to society.

Melissa Stroud
Media Spokesperson
Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board

Outdoor Youth Leadership Retreat at Paradise in the Sky

Link to slideshow of more pictures from our second youth leadership retreat at Paradise in the Sky: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMGlHXL7O3Lp46ggoltMgs1a4kbfSqYF1elbewH0kMF4qmN7OvCNWqbadtiXANffA/photo/AF1QipOzx3vnbgRbatMxJQ-0XV6A6Cx_kC56JB5xgNnM?key=S29kNFNHdzNoVTBRNjVuNkhZaXYyOVFLN0diR1RB

Franklin County YAB

Foster care youth and alumni recently gained insight on the legislative process during the Three Days on the Hill event in Washington D.C. FCCS was represented by 19-year-old Akire Thomas, president of the agency’s Youth Advisory Council and Regina Douglas, director of FCCS’s Therapeutic Arts Program. “The trip was designed to provide attendees an opportunity to learn how to improve the lives of current and future foster youth by advocating on the state and federal level,” said Douglas.

After participating in training about lobbying with national experts from the Annie E. Casey Family Program, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, the youth used their new skills and personal insights concerning the foster care experience to develop arguments for positive change. Then they met with state and federal legislators from Ohio and shared their concerns—the chief concern being homelessness among youth after aging out of foster care. Participants also attended a briefing on the Voices of Youth Count on Capitol Hill, which is a youth-led survey of homeless youth taking place in 22 counties across the country.

Being able to participate in the legal process as authorities on the foster care experience was an enriching experience for the youth who attended Three Days on the Hill. Former FCCS youth and current Starfish Alliance Vice President Jamole Callahan attended and felt the event was very educational. “The participants learned how policies and laws come into being, as well as how to effectively advocate for those who are voiceless,” he said. Akire felt empowered by the experience. “I’m inspired to advocate more for youth, especially teenagers who need support. I can also be patient about the process of making changes, since I now understand it better,” she said.

Learn more about the Franklin County Youth Advisory Board.

Joshua Hatch, FosterClub AllStar

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.

2016 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference

 

Link to more photos.

2016 July OHIO YAB meeting

Link to more photos.

 

2016 july ohio yab meeting from Lisa Dickson

Appreciation for the Dave Thomas Foundation

Arlene Jones, founding member of the OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio member

Over the weekend, Ohio foster care youth and alumni leaders from all over the state issued themselves #TheSelfieChallenge to express their gratitude and appreciation to Rita Soronen and the Dave Thomas Foundation.

Melissa Stroud, OHIO YAB Media Spokesperson

MaryAnn Dowd, participant in Three Days on the Hill

Brittany Sergent, OHIO YAB Treasurer

Allissa Mitchell, two-term President of the OHIO Youth Advisory Board

Jamole Callahan, ACTION Ohio

Adrian McLemore, founding member and first President of the OHIO YAB

Nicole Chinn, ACTION Ohio Treasurer

Dorothy Dodson, former OHIO YAB Parliamentarian

Tatyana Rozhnova, ACTION Ohio

Doris Edelmann, OHIO YAB co-facilitator and ACTION Ohio Legislative Chair

Lisa Dickson, OHIO YAB co-facilitator and ACTION Ohio Communications Chair,
with Tyneisha, Brittany and Adrian at the 2011 Wendy's Wonderful Kids Summit