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Spreading a little love for Christmas

Written by
Ashley “Moniece” Jackson
Special to the Chronicle

The pride I feel in my organization is overwhelming. Florida Youth SHINE (FYS) is a statewide, youth driven, advocacy organization composed of extraordinary former foster care youth whose primary goal is to advocate for the current foster youth in care. We strive to encourage, improve, educate, and support our brothers and sisters still fighting for survival in the system.

This year the Tallahassee chapter of Florida Youth SHINE hosted our 3rd Annual Holiday Party/Talent Show for teens and young adults in foster care (former and current) in Leon County and the surrounding area. A gift from us you might say, because we know firsthand that many foster children do not have a home or family to share the Christmas holidays with. We aimed to see all smiling faces at this event and we indeed accomplished our goal. The holiday party was a great success, with the help of Tallahassee’s own FYS members, mentors, and local community volunteers we made this holiday season very bright for these incredible foster youth.

The biggest hit of the night was the talent show, where foster children from group homes such as Boys Town of North Florida, Inspire, and Home of Dreams shared with us their many talents, and quite talented these young children are. Ranging from ages 10-17 the night was full of singing, dancing, spoken word, laughs and cheers.

As I said before, the pride I feel in my organization is overwhelming (Florida Youth SHINE Tallahassee Chapter Stand up!). Thank you for all the hard work and dedication you put into making this Christmas a bright one for these foster youth. A very special thank you to BJ’s Party House who provided a great source of wholesome family entertainment by sending certified professionals to provide face painting, balloon art, and a spectacular fire show at the Holiday Party.

There are many other community volunteers to thank, from Big Bend Community Based Care, Children’s Home Society, and Junior League, and we do just that: “Thank you”, but the biggest praise tonight would have to go to my organization, Florida Youth Shine Tallahassee Chapter, and our mentor Becky Pengelley. FYS Leaders Thomas and John Fair, Victoria Jackson, Michael Williams, Brian Williams and many other important former foster youth helped put together a wonderful event for all the foster children.

For those of you who missed out on this special event, don’t worry we will be back again next year with our 4th Annual Holiday Party for foster youth in Tallahassee. Merry Christmas to all but, remember, don’t save it all for Christmas day: foster children need a loving family, especially doing times like this. Change a Life, Love A Foster Child.

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012312270015&gcheck=1

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Alexia Nechayev

FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach/Miami)

Alexia Nechayev, from Miami, Florida, is a dedicated advocate for youth with lived experience in foster care and with homelessness. After being placed in foster care as a teenager, Alexia experienced firsthand the stigma surrounding the system, as well as the challenges of navigating a system that didn’t provide support for her to advocate for herself. This experience motivated her to create change, ensuring that other youth in care have the tools and resources she lacked.

She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University, and upon graduation worked as a Hope Navigator with the Department of Children and Families which allowed her to assist clients through individualized care plans, further deepening her commitment to improving the lives of marginalized youth. Alexia is now applying to law schools with the goal of advancing her advocacy work through a legal career. As the Events and Meetings Chair for Florida Youth SHINE (FYS), she creates opportunities for foster and homeless youth to collaborate and push for meaningful change. She is also an active member of the Policy and Initiative Team for Florida Youth SHINE, where she helps create and shape policies that directly impact youth in foster care. One of her proudest accomplishments is helping to develop the Foster Care Bill of Rights, a law that she feels would have made a difference during her own time in care.

In addition to her work with FYS, Alexia serves on the Board of Directors for the parent organization of FYS, Florida’s Children First. In this role, she contributes to strategic decision-making while advocating for the rights and welfare of children statewide.

Every year, she travels to the state capitol to advocate for bills she and her peers have helped shape, including key pieces of legislation that benefit foster and homeless youth. However her advocacy extends beyond her state, as she represents Florida Youth SHINE at national conferences such as the National Leaders 4 Change Conference.

Through her internship with the National Foster Youth Institute, Alexia continues to refine her advocacy skills, preparing for a future where she can contribute meaningfully to both policymaking and the legal system. Guided by the belief that “the blue sky is always there,” she remains committed to ensuring that every youth in foster care has the power and support to advocate for themselves.

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