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Justin Taylor – Jacksonville, FL

Justin is a former foster youth from Jacksonville who was placed in care at age 12 and aged out with a lot of questions and no answers or support.

A short while later Justin found Florida Youth SHINE and became one of the original members of the Jacksonville chapter.  Through his involvement with FYS and Florida’s Children First, Justin found his passion for politics and a deep routed desire to change the system that raised him. He strongly advocated for such issues as Rights to Records, Allowing Youth in Court, and the Independent Living Program.

Justin is an advocate, husband and the proud father of an adorable two year old son – Brayden. He is currently a small business owner in Fernandina providing printing and direct mail services and is also a paid political consultant working on various Republican campaigns in Northeast Florida. Directly in line with his love of politics, in 2010 Justin ran for a Port Authority position in Fernandina.  Unfortunately, he was not elected, but still remains active in his community.

 

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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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