The Foster Youth Internship Program® is an initiative of the Congressional Coalition on
Adoption Institute (CCAI). The Foster Youth Internship Program® is life-changing youth
empowerment internship that supports young adults who have spent their
formative years in the foster care system. The program began in 2003 as an
effort to
raise awareness to federal policymakers about the needs and
unique perspectives of those who spent time in foster care. Throughout the
summer, the interns research policy issues affecting foster children
across the country. As a result of the Foster Youth Internship Program®, Members of Congress are
shown firsthand the real life experiences of youth growing up in foster care.
At the conclusion of the program, the interns author a policy report of
recommendations on improving the federal foster care system. This report is
presented at a Congressional briefing and a briefing to the White House
Domestic Policy Council, as well as disseminated across the country.
CCAI accepts 12 former foster youth each year. This cost per
intern is $25,000, which provides full
service, wrap-around care for each intern throughout the internship, that includes roundtrip travel to Washington, D.C., housing, daily commuting
expenses, a weekly stipend and mental health support services. In addition,
CCAI organizes and facilitates retreats, professional networking breakfasts and
lunches; advocacy and public speaking trainings, financial workshops, resume
building and interview trainings, and various networking opportunities to
advocate for foster care reform and adoption to leaders in the business
community.
At
the end of the internship many of the interns continue to use their newly honed
advocacy skills to speak up for foster care reform. In addition to completing
their undergraduate degrees, a great many have completed a master’s degree or
juris doctor, while others have landed jobs with the U.S. Senate and U.S. House
of Representatives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, law firms,
foundations, banks and advocacy groups within their community.
CCAI is a nonprofit, bipartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness
about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe and
loving homes, and eliminating the barriers that hinder these children from
realizing their basic right of a family. CCAI has provided over 180 interns with
a Capitol Hill internship experience that not only develops and launches this
vulnerable group of young people in their professional careers but also
facilitates opportunities for them to advocate for better policies for foster children
all over the nation.
Your support of the Foster Youth Internship Program® will make a meaningful
and lasting difference in the life of a foster youth. Thank you
for BEING the difference!
Click to hear directly from alumni of the
program
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