A press release about me has just come out! Please share this with friends, family, and co-workers to help raise awareness about my story and the stories of my foster siblings: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEAS: Connecticut Foster Youth to Champion Change in Nation’s Capital West Hartford native Alexandra Gruber shares personal story to help shape child welfare law [Washington, DC] – West Hartford native Alexandra “Lexie” Gruber is one of 16 college students from across the nation who will spend the summer on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC as part of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Foster Youth Internship (FYI) program. This summer-long assignment provides individuals who have spent time in the United States foster care system with an opportunity to intern in a Congressional office, and share their experiences, opinions and unique perspectives with policymakers in Congress. Gruber will be interning in Representative Jim McDermott’s office. “Lexie comes to Washington not only as foster youth intern, but as a voice of every child in the foster care system,” said Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director of CCAI. “Not a day goes by that I am not inspired by the courage and tenacity of these youth. Each and every day, they use their voice on behalf of those who do not have one. They reveal their scars in the hope that others won’t have these same wounds inflicted upon them.” Gruber is still in care after entering the foster care system at age 14. While she was lucky enough to receive strong support from her high school in achieving her life-long goal to attend college, her former foster siblings did not. Witnessing this lack of support and the negative consequences that came with it, she became passionate about ensuring the proper education of foster youth. “Foster care made me bold, brave, and a fighter. In my time in shelters and foster homes, I wasn’t alive – I was merely surviving,” commented Gruber. “ I didn’t have hope, and I felt so deeply alone and vulnerable, yet within me I felt a visceral belief that my horrible days were temporary. I knew that I would go on to achieve a life of greatness, and devoted my entire soul into finding ways to improve my life. I began to reach out to the incredible staff at my high school, who went above and beyond in teaching me how to advocate for myself. They taught me how to find policies that directly affected me. The staff in my school were the saviors I needed.” Since 1999, more than 230,000 young people have transitioned from foster care without permanent family connections. Only 58 percent will graduate high school by age 19 (compared to 87 percent of all 19 year olds). Gruber overcame the odds and graduated from Hall High School. She is currently pursuing a dual Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Women Studies at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. After her education, she hopes to have a successful career as a caring public servant—her goal is to one day become governor of Connecticut. Although she has many political and legislative interests, she is passionate about child welfare. As an FYI, she hopes to use her knowledge of and personal experience with the foster care system to affect change at the national level. “I want to create a comprehensive policy report that will lead to permanent legislation and help the lives of foster youth,” said Gruber. “I am particularly interested in education reform, especially that of post-secondary. During my time in Washington, I want to absorb as much information as possible. Whether it’s in my Congressional office, in meetings with CCAI, or even casual conversations with strangers, I want to take in as much knowledge and culture as I can. I want to perfect my professional skills so I can wholeheartedly dedicate my efforts to improving the lives of foster children.” As part of their assignment, FYIs research issues impacting children in foster care across the country and compile their findings and recommendations into a policy report. This document is presented at a Congressional briefing and shared with child welfare advocates across the country. In past years, these reports have generated both local and national attention to the critical issues facing the 400,540 children currently in the United States foster care system. “It has been my experience that the voices of foster care alumni are the ones we should be listening to more than any others,” Strottman said. “When they speak, things actually stand a chance of getting better. Not because their stories remind us of how far we have yet to go, but because their ingenuity and passion for making a difference show us just how far we can reach.”
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:24:00 +0000
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