Vol. 4, No. 2 • Spring 2000
Youth Speak Out on Foster Care
by Lea Delicio, Burlington Times-NewsBernard Marton knows that the kids in the foster care system often have a better idea of what the system is really like that adults do.
That's why her attended a meeting of foster children, former foster children, and adults from across the state of North Carolina held March 4, 2000 in Burlington, NC The meeting was designed to give the kids in the system a chance to explore ways to work together to make it better.
"I think that it's about time that kids are heard," said Marton, 17, who lives in a group home in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Youths and social workers also took time out to visit during SAYSO's March event in Burlington.The conference was sponsored by, and designed to encourage membership in, the group SAY SO: Strong Able Youth Speaking Out, said Nancy Carter, a member of the SAY SO adult advisory committee. SAY SO, founded in 1998, is a North Carolina statewide association made up of kids who are in, or have been in "out-of-home care," including foster care, group homes, kinship placement, and mental health placement programs, according to information provided by the group.
Members of the organization work together to improve the quality of the "out-of-home" care system, Carter said. They speak out in their community and are advocates for change, she said.
Carter said SAY SO is trying to establish local chapters at the county or regional level in which youth from that area can participate.
The March conference allowed youth from across North Carolina to come together to discuss ways to implement a chapter of SAY SO in their community, she said.
Carter said SAY SO is an organization run by children who are in the foster care system. She said adults are present to offer advice, but the children promote change.
"The young people form it, and the adults help them," Carter said.
About 150 people, most of whom are currently or have been in some kind of "out-of-home" care, attended the conference, Carter said. She was very pleased with the numbers.
"These young people have responded to an invitation to speak out," she said.
Events included a brainstorming session to discuss issues such as team work and dedication that both adults and youth in a community would need to consider in started up a chapter of SAY SO in their own town.
Youth, like Marton, and adults also gathered in small groups to talk about the changes they would like to see made in the system. Many talked about the support they felt being with a group of people with similar backgrounds.
"I've gained a greater sense and wisdom of life through the young people I work with," said Christie Caswell, who works at a group home.
Members of the foster care system said they were happy to be able to spend the day with other youth that they could relate to.
Other discussed their dream to improve the foster care system and life for the people in it.
Many said a local chapter of a group like SAY SO, that would allow for youth to collaborate on plans for improvement of the foster system, is an important first step.
Reprinted with permission from the Burlington-Times News, Burlington, North Carolina.
Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families
