My name is Julia Davis. I am the Director of Youth Justice and Child Welfare at the Children’s Defense Fund-New York and a Facilitator with YouthNPower: Transforming Care.  I have learned from and worked with young people for a long time as a policy advocate and a civil rights lawyer.  When I’m not collaborating with YouthNPower, I am usually in Brooklyn walking on the beach, making art, cooking and watching movies with my family.

Why is this project important to you?
Young people who have lived in the system and come from over-surveilled communities have the wisdom, insight and expertise to guide the changes we need. YouthNPower is built on that foundation. I am here for that.

What do you hope to accomplish in this project?
We are building collective knowledge about how young people aging out of foster care can use unconditional cash support while we also reimagine what the experience of transition could look like. I hope that young people across New York City will share their lived expertise with us through our research, storytelling and organizing work in this project.

What have been some of your experiences in this project?
Every time we meet I learn more from the YouthNPower collective.  It’s extraordinary.  Research.  Organizing.  Advocacy.  Storytelling.  All of this is happening in a community of mutual care and respect.

Julia’s Favorite Things: 
Author: Hilary Mantel
Color: Yellow
Animal: Pangolin
Flower: White roses
Hobby: Cooking and hanging out at the beach
Food: Albondigas
Season: Summer
Zodiac: Aquarius