Heartshare Youth Make Strides on the Floor of the NYC Council

This month, Heartshare St. Vincent’s Family Services youth celebrated some historic wins, benefiting foster care youth in New York City, with the passage of two major pieces of legislations within the NYC Council.

The first bill passed, entitled the Luggage to Foster Care Youth Act, requires the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to provide luggage to youth entering, transitioning within, or exiting the foster care system.    

Introduced by Council Member Rita Joseph and co-sponsored by Council Members Gale Brewer, Chi Ossé, and Kevin Riley, the bill affirms the dignity and humanity of young people navigating one of the most difficult transitions of their lives. St. Vincent’s Family Services youth stood right alongside Council Member Joseph, a Heartshare foster parent herself, to share their personal testimonies and advocate on the NYC Council floor.

Heartshare is proud to support the passage of Council Member Joseph’s Foster Care Luggage Bill. Being removed from a family can be one of the most traumatic experiences a child faces. During this difficult transition, it is essential to uphold their dignity, humanity, and sense of worth. This historic legislation sends a clear message: our city sees them, values them, and is committed to doing better.

Shanon Shaw, VP of Strategic Partnerships

To celebrate the official passing of the bill, Council Member Rita Joseph and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso will be hosting the Foster Youth Luggage of Love Drive —a day of compassion, community, and care for NYC foster youth on Saturday, August 9th at Brooklyn Borough Hall. All foster youth and students in temporary housing in New York City are welcome to receive free luggage, essential items, and learn about other available resources. Join us at Brooklyn Borough Hall from 10am to 5pm.

The second bill, the Disaggregated Data on Foster Youth Placements Act, was presented by St. Vincent’s Family Services alum and 2020 Heartshare Youth of the Year, Cheyanne Deopersaud. The bill, championed by Speaker Adrienne Adams, requires detailed reporting by age and council district, allowing advocates and agencies to see exactly where youth aging out of care are placed.

As someone who was placed into supportive housing at a young age, I know firsthand that foster youth often feel invisible. By prioritizing the collection of more data on where youth aging out of foster care are placed, we are telling the thousands of children who have made it through the system that we see them, they matter, and we care about their future outcomes. Now we will be able to analyze the results to level the playing field and change housing for youth who are aging out for years to come.

— Cheyanne Deopersaud, 2020 Heartshare Youth of the Year & Next 100 Fellow

Heartshare is incredibly proud of our youth advocates who continually choose to exercise their voice not only for themselves but also for the betterment of others who follow in their footsteps. Everything we do at Heartshare is designed to remove obstacles, strengthen resilience, and allow for greater self-belief and independence within the communities we support. We can’t wait to see what our youth advocates will accomplish next.