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Contact NILA |
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Telephone: |
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(904) 296-1038 |
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E-mail: |
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info@nilausa.org |
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Youth Representatives:
Antwan
Bynum
Rocky Mount, NC
e-mail: antwan27801@yahoo.com
Antwan Bynum was born on December 5, 1986 to John and
Julia Bynum being the youngest of 4 brothers and 1 sister.
Now 19 years old, being the only one out of his family
going to college, he attends the North Carolina Wesleyan
College in which he will receive his Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Sociology.
Antwan was raised by his birth parents until the age of
12 when his mother became terminally ill with kidney failure,
and a year later his dad died of cancer, left to become
in foster care.
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years, Antwan became interested into a program called
SAYSO. SAYSO stands for Strong Able Youth Speaking Out.
SAYSO is under the Durham County Independent Living
Resources. Through the years, Antwan became a board
of director of this program, and now serves as sergeant
at arms for it.
"I believe that when there is something
that needs to be done, why wait and put it off to the
side. Everyday, a child becomes into foster care for
situations outside of their hands. Some feel that maybe
it's their fault when indeed it's not. Let's do everything
we can to stop things like this from happening, let's
advocate." -Antwan
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Tyler Bacon
Jacksonville, FL
email: tbaby568304@yahoo.com
Tyler is a 2004 graduate of Andrew Jackson High School
in Jacksonville, FL. He is currently attending Florida
Community College of Jacksonville where he is majoring
in Psychology. Tyler was in the foster care system for
the 6 years before turning 18. |
Tyler has held various positions on different youth advisory
boards including the following: President of Voices Youth
Board; Youth Advocate for Community Partnership for the
Protection of Children (CPPC); President of State Youth
Advisory Board; Vice-President of the State Youth Advisory
Board; Social Coordinator for State Youth Advisory Board;
Youth Representative on CPPC Governing Board; Youth Representative
of CPPC Adult Advisory Board; Representative and Alternate
for State Youth Advisory Board.
Speaking engagements include Edward Waters College; United
Way; Jacksonville Youth Sanctuary Board of Directors;
Jacksonville Boys Home for Youth; Jacksonville Youth Sanctuary
Boys Home, Florida State Legislature.
Trainings attended include Professional Development; Financial
Literacy; Money Management; United Way Speakers Bureau;
Youth and Youth Mentoring. |
Adrian
McLemore
Fairborn, OH
e-mail: president_mclemore@yahoo.com
"My name is Adrian McLemore; I’m a student
at The Wright State University, where I am majoring in
Business Management and Political Science. I am interested
in Leadership and Government and have been since the 8th
Grade.
Throughout High school and so far in college I have served
as President or other prominent leadership positions in
various student and community organizations. I served
as Class President for three years and as State President
over a very prominent student organization.
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I would like to become the President/CEO
of a fortune 500 company/corporation. I would also like
to venture into politics and one day become the President
of the United States of America.
I have spent 10 years of my life in foster care. Some
of the years have been good, and some of them have been
not so good. But I believe everything happens for a reason.
Now I give back to the people who have given to me by
serving as Vice President of the VISION Youth Advisory
board here in Dayton, Ohio and by serving as one of YOUR
National Representatives.
Please feel free to contact me via email, if you have
any questions, comments and or if you would like any advice
I may be able to offer."–A.Mc. |
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David
Serwinowski
West Seneca, New York
spds1877@yahoo.com
As a former foster care youth and a founding leader
for Youth In Progress, New York State's Foster Care
Youth Leadership Advisory Team, David brings a unique
blend of strengths and competencies to this position.
David serves as a leader for his regional youth leadership
group and the Statewide Team.
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David has also worked closely with the
county IL Coordinator of one of the largest counties
in the state to begin a foster care alumni group that
would serve to support one another and to mentor younger
foster care youth. David serves as a mentor for younger
foster care youth and is an excellent role model and
support person for those that he mentors. David has
presented at county, statewide, and national conferences
about foster care mentoring programs, foster parent
training, and the role of youth leadership councils
to improve quality of service for youth in foster care.
David lived for several years in foster care and has
"aged out" of the system but continues to
live with his foster parents and stay connected with
his support network. David conveys a strong message
to youth about their need to connect with supportive
people and to utilize all of the resources that they
are offered by being in foster care.
David is proficient in computer programming and is
interested in a career in the technology field. He is
pursuing a 4 year degree and is grateful for the assistance
of his ETV award. His professional skills and his personal
experience with the foster care system uniquely qualify
David to serve on the Board of Directors for NILA. David
is a responsible and reliable person who works hard
at all that he commits to do. |
Youth/Adult Partnership Team Leader:
Makeisha
Williams
Burlington, NC
e-mail: babesantana@yahoo.com
My name is Makeisha Williams. I was in foster care for
ten years. Those years of my life were hard but I did
my best to succeed. I am now a 21 year old college student
at East Carolina University majoring in Social Work and
minoring in Rehabilitation Studies. I will be a foster
care social worker as well as foster/adoptive parent.
If I ever tire of being a social worker I will consider
working as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. |
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For the last five years I have been involved in two wonderful
organizations that work hard to better the foster care
and independent living programs which are Strong Able
Youth Speaking Out (SAYSO-NC) and National Independent
Living Association (NILA). SAYSO is the first group I
joined which led me to NILA. My ultimate goal is to change
lives by setting an example and speaking out.
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