About MYVoice

A peer support and youth leadership program for Minnesota young people ages 12 through 22 who have lived experience in the foster care and/or adoption systems. MYVoice is a program of Ampersand Families.

MYVoice Is For You

Are you a Minnesota young person between the ages of 12 and 22 who has experience in foster care and/or adoption? Then MYVoice is your community! We support youth-centered connection, education, and change. Through MYVoice you can get involved in social events, group projects, and advocacy work. You can order books and art kits for free and get paid for your art, book reviews, and leadership!

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For Caregivers

Are you the parent or caregiver for a Minnesota young person between 12 and 22 who has lived experience in foster care and/or adoption? MYVoice connects young people with positive peer connection, creativity, and systems change opportunities. We'd love to have your young person involved!


We can connect your youth with free books, art kits, virtual events, and so much more! Complete our brief online intake form and we'll follow up with more information about current opportunities!

REFER A YOUTH

For Professionals

Are you looking for a powerful, free resource to support your work with young people in foster care? MYVoice is a free and voluntary peer support and youth leadership program for Minnesota young people ages 12-22 who have experience in foster care and/or adoption. Let us amplify the work you are already doing with these awesome youth!


MYVoice provides young people with positive peer connection, creativity, and systems change opportunities. We can connect your youth with free books, art kits, virtual events, and so much more! Refer a youth today or reach out to us to find out what resources we can send to your group home, residential treatment center, or juvenile detention center.

REFER A YOUTH
LIVED EXPERIENCE (LEX) LEADERSHIP

Presentations and Advocacy

MYVoice believes that young people whose lives have been impacted by the child welfare and foster care systems have important expertise when it comes to changing those systems. MYVoice supports Lived Experience (LEx) Leaders to develop their voices and their power. We also work on boundaries, consent, strategic sharing, and confidence. Through paid participation in panels, presentations, and focus groups, we support LEx Leaders to educate others and advocate for systems change.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is MYVoice?

    MYVoice (Minnesota Youth Voice) is a peer support and youth leadership development program for Minnesota young people ages 12-22 who have lived experience in foster care and/or adoption. 


    Participants get together via MYVoice Virtual Hangouts on Zoom, create art and get paid as a part of MYVoice Interactive, receive books through our MYVoice READS program, get a Creativity Kit mailed to them with free art supplies of their choice, order a free journal through our MYVoice Writes program, and so much more! We also work with MYVoice participants and Lived Experience (LEx) Leaders to advocate for foster youth and help change the systems that affect young people in care.

  • Who can participate in MYVoice?

    MYVoice is open to Minnesota young people ages 12 through 22 (up to their 23rd birthday) who have any kind of lived experience in foster care and/or adoption.

  • Where are MYVoice youth located?

    MYVoice welcomes young people who are living in group homes, residential treatment centers, shelters, foster homes, juvenile detention, with relatives/kin, in adoptive/pre-adoptive homes, and who are living on their own. MYVoice also welcomes Minnesota youth who are currently in out of state placements such as long-term residential treatment centers in other states.

  • How do I get involved with MYVoice?

    Just complete this short online New Youth Intake form. We will then follow up with you and add you to our e-newsletter mailing list. You will receive one email a month and can unsubscribe at any time.

  • How can I refer someone to get involved with MYVoice?

    Just complete this short online New Youth Intake form. We will then follow up with you regarding the youth you referred and add you to our e-newsletter mailing list. You will receive one email a month and can unsubscribe at any time.

  • What books are currently on the MYVoice READS book list?

    The MYVoice READS Book List includes many titles that are by, for, and about young people with experience in foster care and/or adoption, as well as related experiences. We aim to have books that reflect many different life experiences, reading levels, age groups, and genres. 


    We have poetry, picture books, self help books, novels, memoirs, and so much more. Here is a link to our current books. Want to suggest a book for this list? Send us a message through the contact form on this website and we’ll add it to our list for possible consideration.

  • What Art Kits are currently available?

    The list of currently available art kits can be found here. Young people can order one kit per month.

  • What is the theme for this month’s MYVoice Interactive?

    This month’s theme can be found in the MYVoice Interactive section.

  • If I want to submit art for MYVoice Interactive, does it have to be on this month’s theme?

    No. Some young artists find the theme to be a helpful prompt, but you are welcome to create art about whatever inspires you!

  • What kind of artworks are allowed for MYVoice Interactive?

    We welcome whatever is art to you! That means paintings, songs, lego sculptures, clay creations, doodles, collages, poems, and more!


    Please note that the art that we share on our website generally has a G to PG-13 vibe, but we love to see whatever you create!


    Please note that we'll need to get an electronically signed release from you or your adult before we share any of your works publicly.

  • When will I receive my gift cards for MYVoice activities I have done?

    We mail out pre-paid visa gift cards every two weeks.

  • A gift card that was sent to me isn’t working, what can I do?

    Please reach out to the MYVoice Administrative Assistant or 612-559-1261 and they will be able to assist you.


    Please include a picture of the front and back of the gift card in the email or text that you send. 

  • When is the next MYVoice Virtual Hangout?

    You can find details about the next MYVoice Virtual Hangout here.


  • I work at a group home, can MYVoice send resources to the young people who live here?

    Yes! If you are working with Minnesota young people between the ages of 12-22 who have some kind of lived experience in foster care and/or adoption, we can work with them—and we would love to! 


    Please reach out to MYVoice Administrative Assistant or 612-559-1261 and they will be able to send you information to connect your young people with MYVoice programming and opportunities. We especially like to connect these young people with our virtual programming and our various mailings and kits. 


    Please read through our website to learn more about our current offerings.


  • I work at a juvenile detention center (JDC) or residential treatment center (RTC), can MYVoice work with young people here?

    Yes! If you are working with Minnesota young people between the ages of 12-22 who have some kind of lived experience in foster care and/or adoption, we can work with them—and we would love to! 


    Please reach out to MYVoice Administrative Assistant or 612-559-1261 and they will be able to send you information to connect your young people with MYVoice programming and opportunities. We especially like to connect these young people with our virtual programming and our various mailings and kits. 


    Please read through our website to learn more about our current offerings.


  • How is MYVoice funded?

    MYVoice is funded by grants through the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families as well as the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. 


    As a part of Ampersand Families, we are also supported by generous donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Without your support, this work would not be possible!

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