Vol. 9, No. 1• November 2004

SaySo Youth Head to Raleigh!
by Glenda Easterling and Nancy Carter

This summer nine members of SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out), a group representing those who are or have been in North Carolina’s foster care system, participated in the House, Senate, and Governor’s Page Programs.

Governor Easley with foster youth participating in the NC House, Senate, and Governor’s Page Program.

From June 28 to July 2, nine youths from Wake, Guilford, Moore, Montgomery, and Cumberland counties traveled to Raleigh to participate in the Page Program, which enabled them to learn about the legislative process and North Carolina’s government, share information about foster care, and promote the Page Program to other foster youths. This is the first time foster youths have participated in this program as a group. Participants stayed with host families in the Capitol area and worked side-by-side with those who make decisions that govern our lives.

What is the Page Program? The Page Program gives youth in high school the experience of a lifetime. Pages live with a host family, where they are treated like a member of the family. Other pages also live with the family, so it is a 24/7 experience. Each morning after breakfast, the host family brings the pages to work. The Governor’s page program runs throughout the year, while the Senate and House programs operate only when the legislature is in session. Pages provide much of the clerical work necessary to inform legislators of current issues. SaySo pages found North Carolina legislators to be “real people” and very approachable.

Many youths participating in this year’s program said the experience changed their lives and future plans. Overall, youths felt the legislators cared about them and that their presence was significant.

One voice can make a difference! Chris, a Senate page, got to know Lieutenant Gov. Beverly Purdue. They first discussed some personal interests and then turned to foster care. Chris told her how the House wanted to pass a bill that would increase payments to foster families but the Senate would not agree. Chris spoke of his foster family experiences. Lt. Gov. Purdue said that she would return to the Senate to ask for a special provision to increase the payments. The end result: payments were increased by $25.

See the difference one voice can make?

Glenda Easterling is a member of SaySo. Nancy Carter is the Executive Director of Independent Living Resources.

Join SaySo
If your child has been in an out-of-home placement and is between the ages of 14 and 24, encourage him/her to join SAYSO. To learn more, contact Independent Living Resources (tel: 800/820-0001; e-mail: [email protected]; online: www.saysoinc.org)

Copyright � 2004 Jordan Institute for Families