David Inglish, 7 years and counting in the Washington State foster care system

David is a college freshman at the University of Washington who hopes to go on to a profession in nursing. David is at UW by way of Edmonds, WA where he went to high school, wrestled and played football, and where he grew up in the foster care system.

David was lucky enough to have a single placement throughout his time in care and continues to enjoy a connection with his foster family through the Foster Care to 21 program. He reports that he had the ideal family that taught him valuable social skills, how to use resources, and personal responsibility.

Even with the support of his foster family and Foster Care to 21, David was concerned about his transition from the foster care system – how he would pay bills, how he would do in a college setting, whether there would be anyone there for him that he could count on. It is because of this concern that David is happy to announce that he will be doing the FosterClub All Star Internship this Summer, which will allow him to have deep conversations about permanency that he feels other organizations and programs don’t have.

Though David has had personal struggles – he lost a brother when he was younger, his biological mother struggles with her mental health, he had to become reinvested in education after a struggle – he has hopes to be a role-model for his peers both at FosterClub and as a member of the University of Washington’s Champions program.

About the Foster Club All-Star Program

The Foster Club All-Star Program was founded on the belief that youth who have successfully transitioned from foster care to responsible young adulthood are best suited to impact the transition of their younger peers. The program goals are:

• To provide youth development opportunities for emerging leaders
• Improve outcomes for youth preparing to transition out of foster care
• Increase public awareness and facilitate legislative action that will improve the foster care system
• Change public perceptions about youth in foster care and reduce the negative stigma attached to foster care