Gwendolyn Golding
She/Her/Hers
Hello everyone! My name is Gwendolyn Golding and I live in upstate New York. I am currently working as a call center customer service representative for Spectrum. I also attend the University at Albany where I major in English and double minor in business and education. My goal is to travel and teach around the world before settling down to open my business.
I joined the CARES project because I believe that the foster care system is broken and I want to be a part of the group that enforces change. The system loses focus on an individual as they get closer to aging out of care. The CARES project is important for older youth transitioning out of foster care because it helps to set them up for the real world. We are working on taking away so many of the challenges that come with receiving help as an older youth that would help them flow easier into adulting. When I am not at school or working, you can find me in the gym or binge watching the greatest shows.
#CARES4Power
Follow us on Instagram to learn more about our work, the CARES Ambassadors, and the policies we are building to advance change for all transition age youth.
We know that children and youth do best when they are able to remain in their homes and communities. And when families do become known to the child welfare system, it is the system’s responsibility to partner with families in ways that promote autonomy and provide supports and resources that keep families together.
For LGBTQ+ youth and their families, this requires having a system, including staff, that engage youth and families with dignity and are affirming and responsive to their needs, as well as partnerships with a broader network of community-based supports that can meet families’ needs.
Check out our full statement on how Systems, policies, and communities play an important role in affirming LGBTQ+ young people in the foster care system on our blog. 🔗 in bio.
Young people want to be seen for their whole selves and deserve to feel encouraged, affirmed, and supported as they make their way in the world.
Join us TODAY from 2:30-3:45 PM ET for a panel discussion hosted by @chcidc to talk about opportunities to support and affirm #LGBTQ young people in foster care, featuring LA Ambassador @danie.rose_
Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/3VcAbA07m
Back with our #DITL series featuring Shoshana, one of the New York CARES Ambassadors. Here’s Shoshana`s busy day as a nursing student, taking selfies🤳at clinical, catching the sunrises🌅 and sunsets🌇, walking to the train🚇and more!
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#CARES #CARES4Power #NY #NYYouth #CARESAmbassador #Nursinglife
Check out #Atlanta CARES Ambassador Vlad speaking 🗣️ about how he feels about creating policies that help transition-age youth. “Something that I’ll say I enjoy a lot about being a CARES Ambassador is improving people’s lives and giving opportunities. Making policies that will help youth and people in need.”
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#CARES #fostercare #policy #youthpolicies #CARESAmbassador
Check out a #DITL with Atlanta Ambassador Tiffany as she grocery shops 🛒📝for the elderly people in the health care home 🏠where her grandma lives!
#CARES #CARES4Power #ATL #ATLYouth #CARESAmbassador
Here is our “Day in the Life of a CARES Ambassador” series featuring Levi, one of the ATL CARES Ambassadors. Here’s Levi babysitting a pup 🐶, going to the gym 🏋️, and taking a quick selfie 🤳 in college!
#CARES #CARES4Power #ATL #ATLYouth #CARESAmbassador
Check out CARES Ambassador Joseph Mariscal talking about some of the challenges with accessing benefits from state to state and what universal policies should be protected for transition aged youth. #CARES #fostercare #healthcare
#tbt to President Leonard Burton winning the high-five challenge at @ctrsocialpolicy’s 2023 Constituent Convening!
