Dear Mockingbird Supporter,

We have all kinds of fun news, updates, and a new issue of The Mockingbird Times to share-- here is the June Newsletter from The Mockingbird Society! 

The Mockingbird Times

The Mockingbird Times is a publication aiming to amplify the voices of youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care and/or homelessness. The Mockingbird Times was the very first project launched after The Mockingbird Society was founded in 2000 and has since played a key role in our Youth Programs. Not only does the publication provide an opportunity to elevate the voices of our young advocates and the issues they’re facing, it also provides a picture of young leaders balancing their roles as powerful, positive change agents in our community with all the joys, challenges, and questions experienced by youth and young adults.

Check out the June Issue of The Mockingbird Times below!

Become a Mockingbird Times Subscriber

Get print copies of The Mockingbird Times mailed to you and support young people as they develop their skills as writers, artists, poets and creatives! An individual subscription starts at just $15 per month-- learn more and sign up below. 

Youth Programs

📱 Zayn, Liebe, and Yvonne-Monique's conversation about foster care and lived experience leadership

May was National Foster Care Awareness Month, and on May 18, Zayn and Liebe (two Mockingbird Chapter Members) joined Yvonne-Monique (Mockingbird's Executive Director) for a conversation about their lived experience of foster care and the need for lived experience in leadership roles. In case you missed it, you can watch below!

Public Policy & Advocacy

📣 Mockingbird Advocates Speak at Seattle City Council

As the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 is coming to Seattle, the city is speeding the development of new shelters to move unhoused residents indoors prior to the World Cup. In April, two Council Bills, CB 121184 and CB 121185, passed out of the City Council with the aim of accelerating the process of opening new shelters and funding wraparound services.

Corrina and Lydia, two young advocates with the King County Chapter, shared their lived experiences at the City Council meeting back in April, emphasizing the importance of accelerating this effort. Watch their public comments below.

Although the bills have passed, our advocacy work is not done yet. Sweeps and removals have been ongoing. Young advocates at Mockingbird continue to advocate for increased housing rights for people, especially young people, before and beyond the World Cup. 

MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™

🏘️ Fidelity Review in Kansas

Our MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ team visited our partners at KVC Kansas for their first fidelity review and to celebrate their inaugural Constellations' 1-year anniversary (pictured below and in the header image of this newsletter)! Fidelity reviews are a chance for our MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ consultants check in with staff and families in an area one year after they launch their first Constellations. Our team had the chance to meet with staff from KVC Kansas, Hub Homes, and some Satellite Families from the two Constellations in Topeka and Basehor.

💜 A Story of Belonging: Gaelin Elmore

We recently shared this conversation with Gaelin Elmore, a former foster youth who is now a speaker, trainer, and consultant on belonging. Gaelin shared some of his personal experiences, as well as how he sees MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ as a way to create greater stability and belonging for young people in care. Listen to the full conversation below!

Support Young People's Advocacy This Spring

It's not too late to make your gift of support for GiveBIG and our spring campaign! Support from community members like you is what makes our work possible-- Learn more and make your gift today. 

We hope you enjoyed our June Newsletter! To stay connected with us, follow us on social media or visit our website. 

In Community,

The Mockingbird Society

🌟 Learn, Connect, and Give 🌟

Have questions or want to get in touch with us? Reply to this message or email laurenmorelli@mockingbirdsociety.org.