Last year, we received a grant from Impact100 SRQ that allowed us to expand our Legal Lifeline for Youth project. Legal Lifeline for Youth ensures kids in foster care have an attorney in their corner to navigate the complex legal system.
Foster kids’ needs are many. They are often victims of trauma and have had to move from placement to placement; many have mental health or developmental disabilities; and many have faced physical and/or sexual exploitation. Because of unstable housing, many of our foster youth also experience delays in education or turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
But there is hope. With the support of Impact100 SRQ, we were able to bring on another dedicated and passionate attorney focused on advocating for older foster youth, enabling us to serve nearly 50 more young people in care. Foster youth are truly fortunate to have the expertise and commitment of Janella and Te’ya on their side—they are a powerful and inspiring team.
The overall impact has been an expansion of the existing program with an additional fully funded attorney to guide our foster children through the extremely complicated child welfare system.
We are so grateful for Impact100 SRQ support! Here are photos from our recent presentation about the incredible difference this funding has made.
Attendees arriving at the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center.
Marilyn Keyes, Director, Impact in Action, Impact100 SRQ
Te’ya O’Bannon-Martens, foster youth attorney, LAM, with Janella Leibovitz, foster youth attorney, LAM. Te’ya’s position was made possible through the Impact100 SRQ grant.
Tenille Valdivia, clinician and victim services coordinator, More Too Life, one of Legal Aid of Manasota’s important nonprofit collaborative partners.