(l-r) Training team members Sophia, Mitch, and Tonya
Sophia Herman, Mitch Findley, and Tonya Hightower make up the current national training team. All of them grew up in the California foster care system. They have extensive experience developing curricula, designing and conducting trainings for foster youth, and supporting youth as they hone their leadership and policy advocacy skills. Sophia and Tonya have long histories with California Youth Connection as members, peer trainers and Board members. Mitch has similar experience as co-founder of VOICES – the nation’s first youth-led emancipation center of it’s kind which serves transitioning foster youth in Napa and Sonoma counties in California. Original national training team member Nicole Demedenko Lehman (not pictured) is currently working on special projects for the Action Network but is off of the traveling team at this time. Nicole also has extensive history and experience within California Youth Connection.
