Mission

The Mockingbird Society’s mission is to transform the foster care system and end youth homelessness. Mockingbird creates, supports, and advocates for racially equitable, healthy environments that develop young people at risk of or experiencing foster care or homelessness. Working in partnership with young people who’ve lived through the systems we’re transforming, we change policies, perceptions, and practices that stand between any young person and a safe, supportive, stable home. The Mockingbird Society was founded in 2000 to provide meaningful opportunities for youth across Washington state to participate in the social justice effort to improve the systems that impact their lives. We are working to evolve systems and ensure that young people and families have exactly what they need to thrive – creating a lasting, multi-generational impact.  We do this by partnering directly with young people with lived experience in the foster care system and homelessness to create lasting change through the following initiatives: Youth Programs: We train young people ages 13-26 with lived experience in foster care and/or homelessness to become their own best advocates. Through Mockingbird’s six Washington state regional youth chapters, participants build skills in public speaking, civic awareness, and community engagement. Additionally, participants create yearly legislative agendas and advocate for change. Public Policy & Advocacy: In partnership with our youth participants, The Mockingbird Society activates the community, media, and policymakers. Young people shape and vote to approve Mockingbird’s annual legislative agenda each fall and participate in advocacy to create change during the legislative session. MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY creates intentional communities with an experienced “Hub” foster parent providing support and guidance to a “Constellation” of 6-to-10 foster families, improving foster parent retention and culturally relevant care.