2016 DC Sightseeing and Journeys Home

Link to more photos.

Thursday was a day to relax and celebrate the many accomplishments that youth had made during their fourth annual trip to DC. ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now) was honored to sponsor and facilitate this week’s adventure.

2016 Legislative Visits - Day Two

Link to more photos. 

Legislative Visits on Wednesday were followed up by a Celebratory Dinner, sponsored by Casey Family Programs.

2016 Legislative Visits - Day One

Link to more photos.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, youth visited 15 legislators' offices to share their two proposals. They also attended a Capital Hill briefing by Bryan Samuels, the Executive Director of Chapin Hall. 

2016 Three Days on the Hill - Training and Meeting with HUD and HHS

On Monday morning, youth participated in training, preparation and practice.

Followed by a 4 pm meeting at HUD Headquarters in Julian Castro's official meeting room that included their staff and representatives from Health and Human Services, including the head of the Children's Bureau.

Youth brought two proposals:

1. HUD-FASH:  A foster care housing program based off an existing successful veteran housing program. The youth asked that this program be implemented and made into an Ohio demonstration project (make it happen and we will show that it can work)

2. A proposal regarding Chafee, which is existing funding to help youth aging out of care, but has been flat funded since 1999 (meanwhile, the number of youth served is increasing)

Union County YAB

Joshua Hatch - Ohio Reach Student of the Month

Name - Joshua Hatch 

Institution Attending-Wright State University  

Classification -Sophomore 

Major -Biological Science

What made you decide to choose the program you are in?  Since I can remember I have always loved science, it’s a field that is always changing and evolving at a fast pace. Why not be the pioneer for something new.

Are you involved on campus? I am Secretary of The Black Student Union, Secretary of The Forum (an artist and poetry organization), I am also a member of the Independent Scholars Network.

What is the best thing you have gained from college thus far?  The best thing I have gained from college so far is experience. Life may give you lemons and you have the choice of what you want to do with it, make lemonade? Or be different and make lemon meringue pie.

If you could give advice to anyone who is thinking about college what would it be? If I could give advice to anyone who is thinking about college I would say go for it. In this type of economy it’s hard to get far without a degree and also college is a time were you explore a new life and find who you truly are. It’s a whole new world out there and college should only be step one. Strive for even more, you'd be surprised at how far you can go.

To learn more about Ohio Reach, please visit: http://ohioreach.org/ 

Allissa Mitchell and Gabriel Young in ODJFS First Friday publication, Feb. 2016