Janet Knipe, Beverly Levy, Philip Bailey, and Trinity Bailey-Lewis

The Music is Unity Foundation started by lead singer/songwriter Philip Bailey, of Earth, Wind & Fire, recently partnered with the National Foster Youth Action Network to educate fans, the entertainment industry and the general public about the importance of supporting foster youth especially as they transition from care.

Before the concert Mr. Bailey invited 10 Dallas youth in care to the sound check and afterwards gave them a backstage tour, giving them a once in a life time opportunity to see how a concert is put on and meet someone who is their champion.  Former foster care youth, Nikki comments, “you see it on TV all the time, how famous people have their organizations but you never hear  about helping children or adopting children in the foster care system who are not fortunate enough to have a home… So I just want to say thank you.” The band stressed the importance of using your experiences to create positive change. “We all have histories and we all have stories that lead to where we are in life,” Mr. Bailey shared. Ralph Johnson encouraged the youth to never let anybody rob you of your dream.

Earth, Wind & Fire sound check for Dallas foster youth

Philip Bailey

Mr. Bailey founded the Music Is Unity Foundation in 2007. The Foundation’s mission is to financially support agencies that provide programming that enhances the ability of foster youth to transition successfully to adulthood. A percentage of ticket sales from Earth, Wind & Fire concerts are designated for the Music Is Unity Foundation; other sources of funding include individuals and corporations. After the event there was a reception hosted by the Action Network, Music Is Unity, and Dallas CASA for the 10 youth and other top community leaders to further Music Is Unity and the Action Network’s goals of raising public awareness of the challenges foster youth face.

Hosted by Caucus co-chair Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), and a representative from the House Ways and Means Committee gathered in Los Angeles to gain a better understanding of the current state of foster care throughout the nation, and identify
potential federal policy modifications to improve the outcomes for children in the system.

Attendees of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Care Town Hall with Rep. Karen Bass. Photo courtesy of California Youth Connection.

“I was impressed that members of Congress are spending the time to go around and listen to the voices of the people whose lives are affected by the policies they write,” Action Network Trainer, Mitch Findley reflects. “Too often Congress members can be so disconnected from the people, it’s nice that they are taking the time and energy to listen to both youth and providers.” What’s even better is that the Caucus members will travel to four additional cities for similar town hall meetings.

Attending the Caucus was a great opportunity for the Action Network to share our work with potential partners and extend invitations to Caucus members to our Leaders for Change conference happening in August 2012. It was also valuable for our trainers to learn about other people’s experiences living in care throughout various California counties. As the Action Network grows it is important for us to understand different perspectives for improving child welfare systems to be able to better relate to our Partners all across the nation.

We know the key to improving child welfare is to make sure the voices of youth living in care are included, and it’s great to see the Congressional Caucus on Foster Care taking this message to heart.

For more information on  history of the National Foster Care Movement, check out Daniel Heimpel’s, Director of Fostering Media Connections, Huffington Post Article.

Being part of the Policy Council really helps put our work into perspective. “We’re all in this
together; we don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” shares Sophia. Sophia’s presence on the
Policy Council will allow the Action Network to have a pulse on the best practices of other
organizations so we can share the best, most innovative and proven effective methods with
our Partner organizations.

It is really astounding to see such a proactive approach to policy reform. “When I was in care,
nobody cared. No one asked,” says Mitch. The fact that youth are being included in policy
conversations on the national level is evidence of the progress that we’ve made in making
changes to the system. Mitch’s hope is that the Policy Council has longevity and does not
go by the wayside after this pilot, “the more youth that we can get involved with speaking
about their personal experiences the better.”

Diamonique Walker, 19, of Mockingbird Society, leading youth at last year's Youth Advocacy Day. Photo Credit: Jerry Davis Photography

This article is a milestone: the first national media piece on the Action Network and how foster youth leaders across the United States are building their own movement to fix the broken foster care system. You’ll be inspired by stories from our program partners in California Youth Connection and Oregon Foster Youth Connection and youth in Washington. Find out from youth how it feels to discover their voices for the first time, be recognized as experts by the legislators who make foster care policy, and win major victories. Powerful!

Music Is Unity Foundation is proud to partner with the National Foster Youth Action Network to empower foster youth and to inspire individuals to take action to improve the lives of foster youth. I believe when foster youth come into the system, we all have a responsibility to ensure that they have quality lives and have the same opportunities that we want for our own children. Foster youth are struggling. We can all take action to help.”
– Philip Bailey