WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wednesday, May 23, is Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day, during which more than 100 foster youth from across the country pair with Members of Congress for a day in the Nation’s Capitol. Shadow Day allows foster youth to share their experiences in foster care directly with lawmakers and provides an opportunity for foster youth to advocate for legislation before Congress. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is hosting Lakeidra Mims, a foster youth from Monroeville, Alabama, who currently works as a Child and Family Advocate at the Tuscaloosa Children’s Center.

“Foster Youth Shadow Day is a powerful opportunity to make the voices of foster youth heard in Congress,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “As we recognize Foster Care Month this May, I am excited to spend time with Lakeidra to learn from her first-hand experience in our foster care system. Caring for our children is not a Democratic or Republican issue, and I am proud to have worked with Members from both parties to build a better foster care system that gives children safe, permanent, and loving homes. As Congress considers major changes to our social safety net, I will continue to fight for investments in our foster care system that give our foster youths every opportunity for success.”

In February, Congress passed foster care reforms proposed by Rep. Terri Sewell as part of a two-year funding agreement. The measure, originally embodied in the Reducing Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act, makes it easier for foster children to be placed in the home of a family member by encouraging states to update their foster care systems to promote such placements.

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize the more than 400,000 foster youth across the United States in addition to those who make a meaningful difference in their lives.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.