Imagine being a 15-year-old teen with a one-month-old baby, entering foster care. Sounds hard, right? Well, it was, according to JBAY Youth Advocate Junely Merwin.
That hardship didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams and helping others each step of the way. Junely earned a full-ride scholarship to California State University at Fullerton, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services. Today Junely is a capable and caring young mother, college graduate, and devoted to improving the lives of youth in foster care.
This month, Junely is being honored with the Shining Light Award presented by the Raise Foundation. Recipients will be honored at the 28th Annual Blue Ribbon Kickoff Event and throughout a month-long awareness campaign highlighting the impact of prevention. Junely is the only person ever to receive three nominations for the award.
Junely was informed of her selection during a surprise Zoom gathering with JBAY staff on March 2nd. As usual, Junely was humble and quick to acknowledge others. “I am honored to be given this award and grateful to the people I’ve worked with. The whole team at JBAY has helped me to grow personally and professionally. I never thought I would be where I am, working at a community college and with JBAY as a Youth Advocate.”
As a JBAY Youth Advocate, Junely has testified before the state legislature and written op-eds. Last year, Junely helped JBAY successfully advocate for the creation of the Expectant Parent Payment, which went into effect on January 1, 2022 and helps pregnant foster youth pay for supplies prior to the birth of their child. This legislative session, Junely is advocating for increased housing for foster youth and the creation of a Foster Youth Tax Credit.
Anna Johnson, Associate Director of Housing and Health at JBAY nominated Junely for the award. “Junely is a powerful JBAY advocate who has advanced a number of initiatives for parenting youth. The supports she has helped garner will reduce intergenerational involvement in child welfare, reduce child maltreatment due to poverty, and improve parent and infant health.”
Congratulations to Junely on this well-deserved honor!