When I use to think of Washington, D.C. I thought of it as a land that was far far away, Never Never Land (cuz they never seem to get anything done there) where everyone who is somebody resides and those people are the ones really in control. I thought the only people that got invited to D.C. were politicians, government employees, the Queen of England and Oprah...

Beyonce was even lucky to have been invited. Well my fellow bros and sis of the foster care system, we are "The" somebody's and let me tell you, Washington invited US and wants to hear what WE all had to say! When Jojo and I testified on Capitol Hill, we weren't telling our own stories but we were telling your stories. Your voices were heard and received well and those important people wants you to use it and to VOICE to them what is it that we need and want to change and improve in the foster care system.

Before I went to D.C. it was hard to make that connection, to believe I could cause change or be a part of it. It seemed as though foster youth was a forgotten population and that the federal government had more "important" issues to concern themselves with like "weapons of mass destruction" and "what designer Michelle Obama was wearing at the Gala of blah blah blah". I use to think, I am all the wa in Portland, Oregon and they (D.C.) probably don't even think there are foster youth in Oregon but just in case there are, the Capitol decides every year to give the state some funding and then they wipe their hands of us.

I guess what I am trying to is that I felt like a number with a dollar amount attached. BUT when I was invited and asked to testify in front of the Senate Committee of Finance and Senator Baucus, Wyden and staff of Grassley was going to be present and wanted to hear what a lil ole city girl like me had to say...I was shocked, to say the least! We sat in the testimonial room sharing ours and all of your stories. After our testimonials were finished the Senator, staff and other participants asked us important, thought-provoking questions and were genuinely concerned about how they could start the process of the much needed change in the foster care system.

They were all so lovely and nice and their kindness didn't seem forced at all. The staff invited us to lunch and we sat with them and talked, took pictures (check them out on Facebook) and just had a blast socializing. It felt so surreal and surprisingly comfortable. I didn't feel like a charity case but it felt as if these were people that sincerely care about our lives and wants us to succeed despite of the harsh adversities we face. At the end of the day, Washington D.C. was everything that I DID NOT imagine it to be. It was full of inspiring, motivating and determined people working on our behalf. Working for all the youth in Portland, in Oregon and in this country. The process is slow but promising. So bear with me foster youth, they hear us, they believe in us and they are working for us...not against us. So keep speaking and stay encouraged because we have more control and power than we actually think :)