Florida Youth SHINE

Join in the conversation! For the first time since the release of Our Voices, Our Power, the creators are ready to discuss the messaging of their digital stories. Join us for a night of insight as we go deeper into these important topics! Register with the QR code and we’ll see you there!

We are excited to present our new Digital Storytelling Series: Our Voices, Our Power. You will meet the 10 storytellers who participated in an intensive Florida Youth SHINE workshop with StoryCollab, where they learned the storytelling process and how to develop, create, and edit their own short film.

This week, we bring you Mel’s story.

“My name is Mel, and I made this Digital Story when I was 24 years old. In the community, I’m known for networking and creating structured tools and resources that help youth better understand their needs, boundaries, and options. I am a creative whose work spans digital design, visual content development, and storytelling. Before all of this, though, I was just a young girl who sought validation in a space where I felt unwanted and had no place to turn for help.

I decided to share my story because I feel that not enough attention is given to homeless youth who were never in the foster care system. My own experience with homelessness led to the work I do today, and I’m happy to make a difference for those who have come behind me. “
Mel de Miami

Stories can be viewed at www.floridaschildrenfirst.org, www.floridayouthshine.org, and/or our YouTube Channel as they are released. Make sure to tune in!
You can learn more about Mel and view her amazing Digital Story below.
https://youtu.be/s_7-_RSAe24?si=oBTzxyGoPgb2501W

We are excited to present our new Digital Storytelling Series: Our Voices, Our Power. You will meet the 10 storytellers who participated in an intensive Florida Youth SHINE workshop with StoryCollab, where they learned the storytelling process and how to develop, create, and edit their own short film.

This week, we bring you Quay’s story.

“My name is Quaviona Peeples, and I was in care from ages 6 to 18. Throughout my childhood, I experienced both significant hardships and significant instability. When I entered foster care, the instability only increased. These childhood experiences taught me NOT to look to adults for help.

However, upon aging out of care, I had the good fortune to find a great support system that is now helping me to move forward. Currently, I am attending Florida State University pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Criminology, after earning my Criminology AA. Outside of school, I’m actively involved in advocacy work focused on youth impacted by the foster system and those experiencing homelessness.

I chose to share my story because I want people to know how I overcame my struggles and my challenging experiences in care. And I want my peers to know that, despite everything they face, they can still thrive after care.”
-Quay Peeples

Stories can be viewed at www.floridaschildrenfirst.org, www.floridayouthshine.org, and/or our YouTube Channel as they are released. Make sure to tune in!

You can learn more about Quay and view her amazing Digital Story below.
https://youtu.be/Om1LMP1sbb8?si=6O0FUtH90MhSgoc3

Florida Youth SHINE voices were heard again! Our youth empowerment & engagement bill (HB395) passed UNANIMOUSLY in the House of Representatives today. This bill will help youth in foster care for years to come. Thank you to bill sponsors Rep. Rizzo and Rep. Woodson, for your support, and to all the legislators that met with us in the Capitol, and listened to our needs as constituents and as youth in the child welfare system.

Watch FYS Legislative Chair Serenity Miller and FYS member Sean Ford testify on HB 395 at the House Health and Human Services Committee!

House Video Player: House Health and Human Services Committee - February 18, 2026

Watch FYS Statewide Chair Tee Lamore and FYS Member Quay Testifying on HB 395 on the Human Services Subcommittee!!

House Video Player: House Human Services Subcommittee - February 12, 2026

BRAVO to our amazing Florida Youth SHINE members SERENITY MILLER & ALEXIA NECHAYEV. They have been selected to serve as interns for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). They will use their lived experience in the foster care system to influence federal child welfare policy. They'll spend the summer researching policy issues, visiting congressional offices, and producing a report with recommendations presented to Congress. WAY TO GO, and thank you for amplifying your voice and advocating to improve life for others!

After we prepped ourselves for a week of advocacy meetings with DCF leaders and legislators, we hit the Capitol, where we began our presentations with over 70 legislators in chilly Tallahassee. We proudly elevated our voices to advocate for improved policies and practices that will better prepare us for success when we leave care and must navigate life on our own.

Watch us now, in action, as four Florida Youth SHINE members speaks in the Senate “Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee meeting, supporting our bill (SB996) that would provide youth with tools and policies we need to build the personal responsibility and decision-making skills that prepare us for independent living. Catch them NOW at the link below: https://www.flsenate.gov/Media/VideoPlayer/6079

Watch us now, in action, as Florida Youth SHINE speaks in the Senate “Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee meeting, supporting our bill (SB996) that would provide youth with tools and policies we need to build the personal responsibility and decision-making skills that prepare us for independent living. Catch them NOW at the link below:

Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs Use of live broadcasts and video & podcast archives for political, campaign, or commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. View options for closed captioning.