Joshua Calcia is currently pursuing his Associate’s Degree and plans to work at getting his Bachelor’s Degree following completion of his current program. On top of being a full time student, Joshua works part time but still finds time to participate in Youth Leadership Advisory Team, a Youth Advisory Council in his area. He received the honor of a George Mitchell Scholarship. Joshua provides insight to prospective foster families at foster parent trainings and works making youth aware of their rights through efforts on his Youth Advisory Council. The insight that Joshua has gained through his eleven years and fourteen placements in foster care gives prospective foster parents a new awareness about youth perspectives of foster care. Joshua sums up perfectly why advocacy is so important to so many so many young people who have experienced foster care, “By speaking up and allowing the youth to be heard, we educate the system making it not only better for ourselves, but also for the future children in foster care.”
