Youth Power on the National Stage: FosterClub at Daniel Memorial 2025
Nothing about us without us.
That’s exactly how FosterClub is showing up at the Daniel Memorial 2025 Conference, with six Lived Experience (LEx) Leaders to spread the word about all the work FosterClub is doing with and for young people in and from foster care. The Daniel Memorial "Growing Pains Conference" is a space where youth in foster care and supportive adults come together to learn new skills, share experiences, and get ready for life after care.
What We Brought to Daniel Memorial
At the conference, FosterClub:
- Led four workshops, led by and for young people in/from foster care.
- Exhibited on the conference floor, giving attendees a place to connect, learn, and discover resources.
- Highlighted youth voice as an essential ingredient in creating better outcomes for children and families.
Workshop Highlights
This hands-on workshop led by LEx Leaders Diamond Richardson (she/her, 10 years in Oregon foster care system) and Levi Villarreal (he/him, 5 years in Missouri foster care system) taught attendees how to create their own space inside the FosterClub App. Whether it’s running a campus support program, building community among youth, or managing a Youth Advisory Board, this was all about how to spark real convos, share updates, and connect crews, safely, like a pro.
“The App offers a level of connectedness that is actually for youth, especially older youth. It offers real support.”
— Levi Villarreal, he/him/his, 5 years in Missouri foster care system
Time and again, young people who experience foster care talk about how important it is to get connected to other young people who just get it. That’s the power of Peer Support — and in this workshop, LEx Leaders Diamond Richardson and Levi Villarreal taught young people how to be that person for someone else. Diamond and Levi led attendees through an activity called Resource Roundup, all about demonstrating the importance of learning about resources from peers who know what truly works.
“Our activity gave amazing insight into the lives of youth in care and the lack of input we’re allowed. I think it’s one of the few ways providers can experience even a little bit of the frustration we experience day-to-day.”
— Levi Villarreal, he/him/his, 5 years in Missouri foster care system
Young people and adults both bring something powerful to the table — but too often they’re kept in separate lanes. In this workshop, LEx Leaders Brina Williams (they/them, 2.5 years in Michigan foster care) and Levi Villarreal dug into what real youth/adult partnerships look like and why they matter. They helped young people in and from foster care uncover the strengths each side brings, address the challenges that can get in the way, and learn how to build partnerships that actually work.
“Youth/Adult partnerships are critical to creating equitable and effective systems change within the child welfare system. They are the foundation of authentic youth engagement.”
— Brina Williams, they/them/theirs, 2.5 years in Michigan foster care system
Justice. Equity. Diversity. Inclusion.
These all intersect and impact the foster care experience. Being a FosterJEDI means standing up for what’s right, even when the system feels upside down. In this interactive workshop, LEx Leaders Yesenia Anaya(she/her, 3 years in Michigan foster care system) and divina / they/them(10 years in Massachusetts foster care system) led attendees through multiple activities that explored where identities, privilege, and fairness shows up (or totally doesn’t) in foster care.
“This workshop ended up feeling more like a roundtable where we could all just connect and open up the conversation about how we show up in spaces that make everyone feel seen, heard, and included–while embracing those pieces of our identity that often get overlooked.”
— Yesenia Anaya, she/her/hers, 3 years in Michigan foster care system
Why This Matters
For young people in and from foster care, this conference is proof: your voice belongs in national conversations. Seeing peers on stage shows that youth perspectives can shape how systems respond to challenges — and that lived experience is expertise.
For professionals, these workshops are a reminder that centering youth voice isn’t optional. The insights, strategies, and lived realities shared by LEx Leaders are not just powerful stories — they’re critical knowledge for improving practice and policy.
Connect With Us
Whether you’re a young person looking to get involved, or a professional wanting to strengthen youth-adult partnerships, FosterClub is here to connect.
Together, we’re proving that when youth lead, systems change.