Help Jennifer attend the Foster Youth Conference in Washington DC

As a care experienced young person, I have devoted my life to making sure those who come after me do not experience the same struggles, abuse and injustices that I did.

I've been an advocate for young people in care for as long as I can remember and have committed myself to take all opportunities offered to me because half the battle is in putting your hand up. I want to be able to meet other young people in care and understand the differences and also similarities between our lives and our care systems. I want to be able to share the name and message of VOYCE-Whakarongo Mai because at the end of the day, VOYCE was born through the pleas and cries of many young care experienced youth in New Zealand.

I hope to gain this knowledge to bring back to VOYCE but also I want to be able to connect with other young people and make lifetime contacts. All in all I feel like youth in New Zealand are so stuck and can't imagine traveling beyond this country and I want to show our youth how possible it is and that we need to broaden our horizons and dream bigger.

Being chosen to attend this Foster Youth Institute Shadow Day Conference 2022 in the US is such an amazing opportunity that I do not want to miss out on especially due to funds. If you can, I would appreciate it so much if you could spare some change for this opportunity!

Aloha Atu x

Jennifer Thonrithi