I'd Like to Give a Shout Out...

          So, I'm really proud of one of my close friends who is doing exactly the type of thing I thought she'd be doing some day. I've been friends with Rochelle for the entirety of our Bachelor's program, and stay in touch with her now that I'm doing the Master's program and she is taking time off to work on the development of the Humboldt County Transition Age Youth Collaboration, HCTAYC. This organization is seeking to improve systems of care for transition age youth in Humboldt County, according to the recommendations and needs of youth who have experienced these systems, including former foster youth and youth who have struggled with homelessness, mental health issues, and other issues. HCTAYC is a collaboration of individuals and agencies working toward this goal, including... well, let me just use one of their images to show you:

          I was so excited to see their youth council present at this year's Beyond the Bench 2009, (see my earlier post on the event), especially since I saw youth who had been involved in other systems getting an opportunity to effect those systems, rather than just being effected by them. Having interned previously at YSB's youth shelter and transitional living program I have come into contact with many youth who have great ideas for how to improve these systems, and, as I've seen evidenced by HCTAYC, it's not just the youth who are easiest to work with, or having the smoothest time in the program. While it is important to ensure that all council members are safe, and that youth on trips down south to do advocacy work won't endanger themselves or others, I am proud to be hearing that youth from our New Horizons facility and on probation, (where I intern currently), are being invited to take part in these activities, so that we make sure we are hearing from the youth most involved in these systems, not just those skimming the service and performing well. Rock on, Rochelle.