Next Gen Leaders
An opportunity for young adults with foster care experience to connect, build advocacy skills, and lead change in Massachusetts.
Youth-Led Solutions: Foster Care Leadership & Advocacy
Next Generation Leaders (Next Gen) is a group of young adults with current or past experience in foster care who use their voices and expertise to reshape the Massachusetts foster care system — ultimately leaving it better for the next generation.
Next Gen is built by and for young adults with firsthand experience in foster care, creating space to lead, influence policy, and drive meaningful change.
Through Next Gen, young people have opportunities to build advocacy skills, connect with others, and help shape a future where every young person in foster care receives the support they need to heal, grow, and thrive.
What to Know
Next Gen is grounded in 3 core beliefs:
People with lived experience in foster care are experts.
Next Gen is youth-driven because the people closest to any problem are the ones closest to its solutions.
Young adults with lived experience in foster care are subject-matter experts — and we unapologetically bring our own seats to the table.
Young people leading change deserve resources.
As Next Gen Leaders, young people decide which issues to prioritize, design approaches, and identify what is needed for success.
Along the way, they receive access to tailored resources, opportunities, and support.
Young people's time and expertise are valuable.
Young people should be paid equitably. We recognize the value of lived experience and the emotional labor involved in advocacy.
Next Gen Leaders are compensated for their time, knowledge, efforts, and contributions.
Change starts with you th.
Use your voice, grow your skills, and lead change in Massachusetts. Young people with lived experience in foster care can join Next Gen at any time. Simply fill out the form below!
Reach out to Cat Quirion, HopeWell’s Associate Director of Policy & Advocacy, to learn more about Next Gen’s approach and ways to support youth leadership in the foster care system.
Lived experience matters
Meet Julie Segovia
Next Gen is facilitated by Julie Segovia, Ph.D., HopeWell’s Chief Policy & Impact Officer. Julie founded Next Gen based on the belief that there is an unmet need in Massachusetts: a coordinated, statewide advocacy group led by people with lived experience in foster care — one that is equitably-resourced and rooted in supporting and empowering young adults to courageously leverage their own foster care experience to drive systemic change.
Julie’s own experiences in the Massachusetts foster care system, including aging out, have shaped her work as an award-winning, nationally-recognized advocate supporting young people involved in foster care and the broader child welfare system.
NEXT GEN FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Next Gen unique?
Next Gen is:
Led directly by young people themselves
A paid opportunity that values young people's foster care expertise
Developed and facilitated by someone who has firsthand experience being in/aging out of foster care
Focused on improving the child welfare and foster care systems in Massachusetts
A space for young adults to share perspectives, strengthen skills, and build community
Ready to support each person's interests, goals, and strengths
Open to anyone who spent time in or aged out of foster care — with no requirement to be connected to HopeWell or any other program, organization, or agency
Do Next Gen Leaders get paid?
Yes. We believe lived experience in foster care is subject-matter expertise and should be valued as such. Next Gen Leaders are compensated for every hour spent engaged in this work.
Who can join Next Gen?
Next Gen is for young adults (ages 18+) with current or past experience in foster care who are interested in using their voice to make a difference.
Anyone who spent any amount of time in foster care or who aged out of foster care are encouraged to join! There is no requirement to have any past or current connection to HopeWell or any other particular program, organization, or agency.
How often does Next Gen meet?
Next Gen typically meets once per month. We have a combination of virtual and in-person opportunities to connect. We also understand that people have busy lives, so participation is flexible — Next Gen Leaders can engage at a cadence that works for their schedules.
How can I join Next Gen or support this work?
Young adults can join Next Gen at any time by filling out this interest form.
We also welcome community partners and supporters to reach out to learn about collaboration opportunities and ways to invest in youth-led systems change.
What to Know
Next Gen is grounded in 3 core beliefs:
People with lived experience in foster care are experts.
The people closest to any problem are also the ones closest to its solutions. Young adults with lived experience in foster care are subject-matter experts — and we unapologetically bring our own seats to the table.
Young people shape the work — and grow through it.
Next Gen is youth-driven: You’ll decide which issues to prioritize, how to approach the work, and what resources you need to succeed. Next Gen will support you along the way!
Young people's time and expertise are valuable.
Next Gen Leaders are compensated for their time, knowledge, and contributions. We recognize the value of lived experience and the emotional labor involved in advocacy — and believe you should be paid equitably.
NEXT GEN FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Next Gen? What do Next Gen Leaders do?
Next Gen is a youth-led group of young people with firsthand foster care experience who work together to improve the Massachusetts foster care system. Next Gen Leaders share their perspectives and expertise, engage in advocacy, influence policy, and help shape solutions that drive meaningful change.
Through Next Gen, you’ll have opportunities to:
- Build skills in legislative advocacy, communications, and public speaking
- Learn about policy and systems-change
- Strengthen professional skills
- Connect with peers and have fun!
Who can join Next Gen?
Next Gen is for young adults (ages 18+) with current or past experience in foster care who are interested in using their voice to make a difference.
How often does Next Gen meet?
Meeting frequency varies, but Next Gen gathers regularly and offers ongoing opportunities to stay engaged in advocacy and community-building.
Do Next Gen Leaders get paid?
Yes. We believe lived experience in foster care is subject-matter expertise and should be valued as such. Next Gen Leaders are compensated for every hour spent engaged in this work.
How can I join Next Gen or support this work?
Youth and young adults can join Next Gen at any time by filling out this interest form.
We also welcome community partners and supporters to reach out to learn about collaboration opportunities and ways to invest in youth-led systems change.
What makes Next Gen unique?
Next Gen is:
- Led by young people with lived experience in foster care
- Ready to support your interests, goals, and strengths
- Focused on improving the foster care system in Massachusetts
- A space to strengthen skills, build community, and grow as a leader
- A paid opportunity that values your foster care expertise
Who facilitates Next Gen?
Next Gen is facilitated by Julie Segovia, Ph.D., HopeWell’s Chief Policy & Impact Officer. Julie founded Next Gen based on the belief that there is an unmet need in Massachusetts: a coordinated, statewide advocacy group led by people with lived experience in foster care — one that is equitably-resourced and rooted in supporting and empowering young adults to courageously leverage their own foster care experience to drive systemic change.
Julie’s own experiences in the Massachusetts foster care system, including aging out, have shaped her work as an award-winning, nationally-recognized advocate supporting young people involved in foster care and the broader child welfare system.
