Phyllis Wood has spent 18 years in the Pennsylvania (PA) Foster care system.
Phyllis experienced multiple foster placements during her time in care. At 18, Phyllis left foster care, ending up in a homeless shelter where she was introduced to the PA Youth Advisory Board (YAB).
One of her favorite local projects she got to help with was the launching of Mission Duffle Bag. This project helped give foster kids in Indiana County duffle bags when they were moved homes instead of using trash bags for their personal belongings. Since being involved in YAB, Phyllis has become a youth facilitator for State YAB, and a member of YAB CORE.
As a youth facilitator she helps plan annual Statewide Events like the Leadership Summit and Older Youth Retreat. She has also been invited to speak at the annual SWAN conference in June of 2018 to speak about her experiences in the Foster System.
Phyllis has recently started at WCCC to begin her path in Sociology and plans on gaining her degree in Human Services Children and Families so she can continue making a difference. Her dream job is to be an Independent Living worker for Indiana County Justice Works Youthcare so she can provide valuable tools and skills to youth who can benefit from the program.
