Shayla George
She/Her
6 Years in Care
Shayla’s journey through foster care started at 15, and she moved between multiple placements until she aged out at 18. Along the way, she faced some tough challenges—like navigating complex systems to get the support she needed, advocating for financial help, and pushing through to earn her driver’s permit. But Shayla didn’t let these obstacles hold her back. She kept pushing forward, staying focused on her goals. She enrolled in voluntary services and got ETV funds from Foster Success to help her on her path. Shayla used every experience to fuel her success and keep moving toward her dreams.
Shayla's biggest accomplishments include graduating from college, interning on Capitol Hill, and landing a full-time job at Indiana University. For Shayla, securing this job represents not just hard work but a promise to herself to never face housing instability again. Her advocacy journey began in 2020 when she spoke at Foster Success’s YAB conference, sharing her experience as a Black voice in foster care. From there, she expanded her advocacy, speaking on panels, meeting with policymakers, and helping to draft a bipartisan bill extending housing support for foster youth.
Shayla has also interned with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C., where she presented policy recommendations to Congress, the White House, and the private sector. Additionally, she serves on the City of Bloomington's Commission on the Status of Women and as Administrative Director for Lantern Support Services, a nonprofit providing foster parent support.
Shayla plans to complete her MPA program by 2027, with the goal of attending law school and eventually becoming the first female mayor of Indianapolis. She’s passionate about politics, development, and fundraising and is determined to continue advocating for foster youth and creating meaningful change. Above all, Shayla is committed to being the person she needed growing up, striving to make the world a better place for others—especially for foster youth.
