Clarissa Peña
She/Her
12 Years in Care
Clarissa entered foster care at age nine, navigating multiple foster home and group home placements. These challenges shaped her commitment to creating stability for herself and others. Despite her transitions, she excelled academically, graduating high school and now pursuing a double major in Sociology and Psychology at California State University, Long Beach.
Clarissa has dedicated herself to youth advocacy and systemic change, serving on statewide youth councils, contributing to policy research on alternatives to youth incarceration, and collaborating with organizations that amplify the voices of system-impacted youth. At 18, she became a guardian to her younger sister while managing college, grief, and advocacy.
A skilled communicator and mentor, Clarissa combines lived experience with academic knowledge to influence policy, mentor peers, and empower youth navigating foster care and juvenile justice systems. She also channels creativity through music, performing jazz on the saxophone.
Looking ahead, Clarissa aims to advance youth advocacy, policy reform, and mental health access for systems-impacted youth. She plans to lead initiatives that design trauma-informed, inclusive programs, and mentor young people to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Her vision is to transform her experiences into lasting impact, shaping systems that support stability, opportunity, and empowerment for all youth.
