Anaya, who lives in Houston, Texas, first became involved with TNOYS after attending a TNOYS-led youth and young adult (YYA) listening session at our member Covenant House. After seeing first hand how TNOYS centers YYA voices, Anaya felt that the Young Adult Leadership Council (YALC) offered a unique opportunity to make a difference for young people navigating the same systems that she experienced, including foster care and housing and homelessness services.
From the start, Anaya was dedicated to making the most of opportunities as a YALC member, taking initiative to help shape youth-led presentations, panels, storytelling opportunities, and much more. Anaya’s hard work was recognized at the 2024 TNOYS Annual Conference where she was presented with the YALC Positive Perspective Award, which each year recognizes a YALC member for their inspiring attitude and growth as a leader.
TNOYS sat down with Anaya to learn more about her experience with TNOYS, memorable moments, and what’s next for her.
Tell me about your lived experience with systems.
I have experience in the CPS system at 16. I was also placed in kinship care and ran away from placements, and then after that the majority of my experience really stemmed around housing and homelessness, such as staying in youth shelters.
How did you first hear about TNOYS? Why did you want to get involved by joining the YALC?
I joined a TNOYS listening session while staying in a youth shelter, and from that experience I saw firsthand how TNOYS made the youth participants feel that we were listened to, heard, and understood. That is what got me involved and wanting to join the YALC because I had a lot of trust issues with adults and providers previously. TNOYS was definitely that catalyst for me to be able to trust an organization that I work with.
What projects did you work on with the YALC? What are some memorable moments for you?
My most memorable project was working on presentations for the conference, since our presentations and panel were literally YALC-led from beginning to end. The conference was a nice mix of having both youth and professionals in the room, and I was given a lot of great feedback after our panel. People thanked me for sharing my story and giving my perspective, and gave me encouragements for the way I overcame obstacles and show up for myself now. I really felt like what I was doing mattered.
I also got to present in a lot of other ways beyond the conference. I was involved on a number of panels, I facilitated listening sessions, and I joined town halls.
How has being in the YALC/a part of TNOYS helped you build skills and grow?
For me, being a part of the YALC helped me build confidence, not overthink so much, and learn more about working in nonprofit as a career path. Additionally, I know that a part of my path is supposed to be public speaking: I don’t know where that’s going to lead me with my journey, but I’ve always known that I’m supposed to do it. Being a part of TNOYS has helped me develop the skills, trust in myself, and confidence that I need to make this goal a reality.
Why is it important for young people to be part of shaping systems-change? Why is it important for young people to have their voices heard?
Young people should be a part of shaping systems-change because they are the ones being impacted the most. Even as we age out of systems, more people are growing up and having to experience these systems. They have to have their voices heard and be a part of making systems better because if we don’t put in our input, 20 years from now the youth are going to be saying the exact same thing. It is so important to learn from our experiences directly to help the future youth not have to go through the same experiences.
The biggest thing for me is that confidence and that trust. Because a lot of youth have trauma from growing up, and by the time they get into the system they don’t have that drive or confidence to speak up, advocate for themselves, and possibly prevent a dangerous situation.
What was your reaction after receiving the YALC Positive Perspective Award? How did receiving the award make an impact for you?
My reaction was definitely emotional! I was in some ways surprised, but in some ways I knew that this was recognition for how I set my mind to go all in on the YALC program. Receiving that award made an impact for me because even though I have always felt very appreciated by TNOYS staff, it was incredibly meaningful to feel that my cohort mates also saw all the energy I put into the program.
What’s next for you? How has TNOYS helped you prepare for your next steps?
For immediate next steps, I’m hoping to apply for the Texas Emerging Leaders Board (TELB). I’m also going to try and keep doing internships, at least for the next year. I do want to continue to learn and be in a learning mindset as I work to figure out what position is best for me to achieve my dreams and goals. I’m trying to continue to be patient with myself, trust where I’m going, and stay the course as I work on my skillset.