Timothy Dennis

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What is the one thing you wish people knew about the foster care system from your perspective?

I spent 6 years in the foster care system, so I went through a wide array of different homes as well as caseworkers. One thing that really stuck out to me that I don't think anyone from the system realized was that when I acted out it was not because I was a "troubled teen." I was hurting emotionally on the inside, and I did not have a proper way to get that out to anyone because I was scared of what would happen if I told anyone. The breakthrough finally came to where I did find someone to tell it to and I instantly felt so much better about myself. During these times in my life I never thought that I would be able to do anything in life. However, I am excited and proud to say that I am starting nursing school on May 4, 2015.

What was the key takeaway from your experience of Foster Youth Shadow Day last year? 

The Shadow Day was amazing! One of the biggest memories that I took away was how there are many youth in the US that are using their experience in foster care to make it a brighter path for current and future youth in foster care. I did not realize until Shadow Day how very different other states were from my own state. I also did not realize that there were such loving and passionate members of the US government about the foster care system and ways to improve it.

It is truly an honor to be able to share my experiences in the foster care system with other people and thank you so much to you and Congresswoman Bass for all the hard work you do to help the vulnerable children in the child welfare system.