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CBS4 Shines Spotlight On Super Kids–Brandon Burke from Florida Youth Shine

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A young man who had a tough life growing up learned to not let his past control his future. Today, he works to help other kids, just like him, have a better tomorrow.

Brandon Burke has a 10-thousand watt smile and is filled with love and hope.

“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” said Burke.

However, he said that as a little boy his heart was broken a couple of times.

At three-years old, Burke ended up in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families which expressed concern for his welfare. In an 18 month period, he was placed into three foster homes and a group home.

“One minute you are sitting at the table with your family having dinner the next minute you are with complete strangers,” shared Burke.

Click here to see the video and more!

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Alexia Nechayev

FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)

Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.

In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.

This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.

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