Youth Commission will advise the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Photo: TW-Kathryn Barger, / Courtesy

This week Los Angeles County welcomed five of 10 young people who will be part of a new commission that will make policy recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

The LA County Youth Commission is the first of its kind to provide youth who have experienced foster care and / or juvenile justice, the opportunity to transform these systems.

One of the participants is Amanda Hernández, who to her 30 years recognizes that he had a childhood and adolescence very different from that of many people. However, her life experience shaped her into an outstanding and responsible adult.

Hernández, of Mexican roots, said that since childhood, she and her four sisters experienced the lack of a stable home, drug problems and mental health from her mother, who was a single mother.

“I attended 19 schools and she was always the quiet girl, ”said Hernández. “We were homeless for almost six years with my mother, we lived in abandoned houses, hotels, friends’ houses or wherever possible.”

Hernández added that at the age of 15 years she and her sisters were placed in the Los Angeles County foster care system. At that time their mother was not fit to take care of them.

Instead of getting depressed, the young woman started looking for opportunities. She graduated with honors from high school and as an older adult of 18 years, she continued to seek out options for help within the county.

The young woman assures that she took advantage of all the available programs such as housing, life skills courses, savings and presentation. Initially he worked in fast food restaurants, but later received an internship at Warner Brothers Studios through one of the programs in which he participated.

Years later she obtained another internship with County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the fifth district that includes the San Gabriel Valleys , San Fernando and Santa Clarita.

In the 2018, Hernandez spoke during the County’s annual report on behalf of youth living in foster care and the opportunities they receive.

Now as a Los Angeles County youth commissioner, Hernandez hopes to continue to raise awareness in the county about the importance of helping children who are part of the system within the county.

“They should take care of them as if they were s Our own children and that is not happening at the moment, so I am beyond excited to be able to help make a change with my voice so that we are heard, ”said Hernández.

Supervisor Barger said that when she met Hernandez she knew his life experience would encourage the county to equip more teens and young adults in the system; The goal is to provide them with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in the workforce.

“Although she had to take on many responsibilities at a young age, the Los Angeles County Professional Development Internship gave her the stability and confidence to overcome those obstacles and pursue her dreams. ”Barger said in a statement.”

Barger underscored that Hernandez as an employee of the Los Angeles County Department of Business and Consumer Affairs serves as an inspiration to other young women, including her sisters, who have also been in the foster care system.