Julian Aviles
He/Him
6 Years in Care
Julian spent six years in foster care, moving between multiple homes. His biggest challenge was communication, as he often struggled to connect with his foster parents. Despite these struggles, Julian was the first to move into supportive housing from his previous group home after ten years, marking a major milestone in his journey.
Through his experiences, Julian became a passionate advocate for foster youth. He has worked with several organizations, including Legal Aid, City Living NY, Foster Youth Success Alliance (FYSA), and Fair Futures. Julian has been an active member of the Youth Leadership Board at Legal Aid for four years, advocating for policies and bills that impact foster youth. He has even spoken out on NBC in support of an SSI foster care bill. His advocacy efforts have earned him recognition, including an advocacy award for his work with the Youth Leadership Board.
Currently, Julian is pursuing his goals by working with the Summer Youth Employment Program and participating in the Hats and Ladders initiative. He plans to attend John Jay College to major in political science, with aspirations to become an attorney and work directly with foster youth at Legal Aid. His vision includes advocating for emotional support animals for foster youth and fighting for better health resources. For Julian, giving back is a vital way to ensure that foster youth have a voice and are not forgotten as they age out of the system.
