City council celebrates Foster Alumni Week

To celebrate Foster Alumni Week here in Massachusetts, Councilor Pressley presented Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni (MassNFCA) with a Resolution for their work year-round, supporting youth and families across the Commonwealth.

MassNFCA’s mission is to create community and opportunity for current and former foster youth through education, employment, service and leadership. Their vision is for alumni of foster care to be well connected and well supported throughout all phases of their life.

Councilor Pressley gave a special shout out to one of her aids Luz Villar, who has lived in 22 foster homes. Councilor Pressley said, Luz still managed to maintain excellent grades and graduated from Cambridge College with honors. She is smart, she is resilient, she is compassionate and committed, and she is not alone. There are many formally foster cared youth like Luz.”

Villar said, “I moved to over 22 foster homes within the time I spent in DYS custody. Organizations like MassNFCA are important because this was the part of my life I tried to hide – most out of fear that no one would know or understand what it means to be in foster care. I am starting realize that the things I felt most embarrassed about as a child are actually the same things that have empowered me most as a woman.”

You can find more information on MassNFCA online.