Young people and adults who have experienced the child welfare system possess wisdom that can only be known from their direct and personal experience.

Youth in care and Alumni of care have shared their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts through a variety of ways including video presentations, poetry, photography, digital stories, news articles, and artwork. This can be extremely impactful both for the artist and the audience.

The following video is a collaboration of individuals who have experienced Maine’s foster care system. These individuals want you to know about their experiences of being involved with Maine’s Youth Leadership Advisory Team (YLAT) and how being involved has impacted their lives. Our hope is that the personal experiences from current and former YLAT members will inspire other youth in care to get involved. To get involved today, check out our calendar to find a meeting near you!