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Andrea Costello, Esq. – Newberry, FL

Andrea received her B.A. from the University of Florida and her J.D from the City College of the City University of New York. She is currently a practicing attorney with Florida Institutional Legal Services, Inc., which is a nonprofit law office that provides free legal assistance to indigent people incarcerated in Florida.

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Anne Alper, Esq. – Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Anne received her B.A from the University of Florida, her Master’s in Child Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, and her J.D. from the University of Miami College of Law. She has devoted her career towards helping children, and received the Pro Bono Award in Broward County. Complete Bio

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Paolo Annino, Esq. – Tallahassee, FL

Paolo received his M.A. in Philosophy from Trinity University, his J.D. from Florida State University, and his Pd.D. in Legal Philosophy from Fordham University. He is currently a Clinical Professor and supervising attorney in the Public Interest Law Center at Florida State University. Complete Bio

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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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