In 2020, members of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJ DCF) Youth Council recommended a reimagined NJYRS website, designed and crafted from top to bottom by the Youth Council members themselves. Council members have lived experience with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P), the Children’s System of Care (CSOC) and the DCF Regional Schools. The website you now see was created by young people, for young people. The Youth Council members below have been involved in every aspect of design: from wire-framing the site, selecting the images, and creating the majority of the content. The youth worked for over a year to provide a site designed to provide the best, most helpful information for youth like themselves.
The NJ Youth Resource Spot (NJYRS) is a website created for young people in New Jersey that have been involved with the NJ Department of Children and Families.
- Maybe you’re in foster care, or maybe you were when you were younger, and want to find out how you can get some support in preparing for adulthood or planning to live independently;
- Maybe you’re living in a Transitional Housing Program, or maybe you’re homeless and looking for a place to stay;
- Maybe you have a question that no one seems to be able to answer, or maybe you want to connect with other young people who have similar experiences.
If this sounds like you, or someone you care about, the NJ Youth Resource Spot can help you find different programs and services that might be able to assist you.
Contact Us
If you have a question about any of the following: The content on this website; An individual case issue; DCF programs; DCF or Division of Children Protection and Permanency (CP&P) policies or practice, Please use the Ask A Question Feature.

Stephy Melingui
Stephy Melingui, (20) joined the Youth Council in April 2024. Stephy is a patient, hard-working, creative, and intelligent individual. Her strong faith and devotion to God guides her in all aspects of her life. As a student at Bloomfield College studying psychology, Stephy’s passion for understanding the human mind and behavior shines through in her academic pursuits. She has a passion for helping others and loves to speak for the ones who can’t because once upon a time, she was also scared to speak. Stephy’s commitment to learning and growth sets her apart as a dedicated and driven individual.

Britney Deza
Britney Deza (23) is a former foster youth who entered the system when she was 16 years old after her mother passed away. She is majoring in accounting at Kean university, works part time as a substitute teacher, and holds an associate degree in business. She is currently an ambassador for One Simple Wish. She loves to advocate for children and young adults. She aspires to create change and be the voice that makes a difference. Ask her about her recent paintings and/or her favorite Lilo and Stitch movie.

La-Torria Wright
La-Torria Wright, (22) is a member of the 2024-2025 NJ DCF Youth Council. She has been in the DCP&P System both in Jersey and NC for over 5 years. Throughout her experience in the Foster care system La-Torria has made it her goal to be a help and advocate for all youth and young adults. Though she has faced some tough times herself, La-Torria is always willing to help others with building their resumes, employment, housing and calls herself an "unlicensed therapist" due to the many people who come to her for advice. She is determined to help make a difference in the Lives of all people and create a better system for youth coming into the child welfare system, as well as for those who are aging out. During her free time, La-Torria enjoys writing poetry, editing inspiring videos, and trying new food.

Akeem Douglas
Akeem Douglas, (19) was born in Jamaica and came to the US when he was 13 years old. Akeem currently attends college for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Akeem is still in the system, but he recognizes that it helps him to be the person he is today. As a member of the DCF Youth Council, Akeem’s goal is to make sure that kids in the child welfare system know that they are not alone in this. “I want to help make changes for the youth to better the system and the kids who are dealing with it. My mission as a youth council member is to help youth and young adults understand that their voices are really important for speaking out.” Akeem is looking forward to kicking off the 2024 youth council and helping every kid out there use their voice to make a better life for themselves.

Jeremiah La’Porte
Jeremiah La’Porte, (17) is an Author, Poet, Speaker, and Gov. Communications Strategist. Former Deputy Director of the Voters of Tomorrow NJ Chapter and Founder of the House of Hearts Network, Jeremiah has worked effortlessly to engage the youth vote while also promoting mental health programs and public policy. He is making great efforts to improve and implement mental health productive and proactive policy throughout his state.

Fernanda Cruz
Fernanda Cruz, (19) was recruited on to the DCF Youth Council in September 2023 and is focused on building a platform for the Spanish speaking community within DCF. She is currently a Sophomore at Montclair State University pursuing a degree in Italian and a minor in Psychology. Fernanda plans to refine her foreign language skills to be able to be worthy advocate for those that can’t stand up for themselves and hopes to join the FBI after completing her education.

Trenoir Bowman
Trenoir Bowman, (17) says, "Love is my way of life." With joining the NJ DCF Youth Council, Trenoir plans to continue with an open mind, open heart, open ears, and open arms, whilst conquering battles ahead with drive and passion. Trenoir is happy and optimistic about how experiences will play out.

Massai Ramey (Sai)
Massai Ramey (Sai), (22) is a new member of the DCF youth council. Sai is currently a sophomore in college at William Paterson University majoring in criminal justice and minoring in sociology. Sai has been a part of the system since childhood, although being in the system has always been difficult for Sai, he has always kept a posture attitude and is a light for everyone he meets. Sai is very excited to be on the Youth Council and hopes to bring some positive outcomes from the experience.

Katrina Smith
Katrina Smith (21) is a former foster youth who currently attends the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Growing up in the foster care system shaped her life’s perspective and led to a passion for mental health services. She currently conducts research on child welfare resources and public policies centered around sustainability. Katrina aims to use her lived expertise to shape future policies and practices of the NJ foster care system and promote the wellbeing of those who are involved with it.

Sandy Harvey
Sandy Harvey, (24) is strongly passionate about advocacy and networking within the community and at work. As a manager in the restaurant industry, Sandy believes that maintaining authenticity and proper leadership skills serve a high purpose. Sandy worked as a peer navigator with the EnlightenMENT program in 2022. Since then, Sandy has found a passion for mentoring aging out foster youth to help them normalize their story and assist in navigating the transition between their DCP&P experience and independent adult life.

Queen’Dasia Allah Davis Billingsley
Queen’Dasia Allah Davis Billingsley (23) is an independent, goal seeking, spiritual (womb)man who aspires to be a social worker. With a history of being in and out of foster homes & group homes operating under DCF programs she plans to use the experiences and knowledge to help aid in her role as a voice on the NJ DCF Youth Council. Queen says, “I enjoy drawing, painting, meditating with my cat, cooking and feeding the homeless, volunteering and just being my true authentic self.”

Alexis Stiener
Alexis Stiener, (20) joined the DCF Youth Council not just to better the system but to support the connection between DCF and families in New Jersey. She believes it’s important to have a safe space for families and caseworkers to voice their needs. Alexis plans to continue her education as an ultrasound technician.

Courtney Anderson
Courtney Anderson, (20) is actively on the youth council as of 2024 and is currently in her first year of college studying online to work in the medical field. She’s had experiences in the foster care system, group homes, as well as adoption, since birth. She enjoys getting to know new things, binge watching, and being a stay-at-home mother to her little one.

Zoey Zabelski
Zoey Zabelski (16) is currently a Highschool student with hopes of attending Rowan University for Environmental Sciences. The experiences that Zoey has encountered in foster care and with DCPP overall helped to shape her into who she is today. These experiences have helped her build deeper connections with those surrounding her and the earth she journeys upon daily. Zoey hopes to be of help to others in their journey

Maya Zabelski
Maya Zabelski, (16) is a junior in High School, has been involved with DCPP since she was four years old. At fourteen, Maya was finally adopted after six lengthy years in foster care. Maya constantly advocates for their peers and is involved in the Biomedical Magnet Program at her school. They strive to help those in care with racial equality between caseworkers and children and to aid fellow transracial adoptees.

Marisol Alejandra Nunez
Marisol Alejandra Nunez (23), was born in Colombia and is bilingual. She enjoys painting, drawing, and crafts. Marisol has participated on Youth Council’s in the past while living in Colombia and was a student counselor in her senior year of high school. Marisol hopes to attend college to become a clinical social worker and to help kids who are in foster care or going through the adoption process by relating to them through her own life experiences.

Sky Soto
Sky Soto (19) joined the Youth Council in November 2023. She is a resilient entrepreneur who dedicates her time to creating change and pursuing her passions. Her goal is to do it all, which includes helping create a system that youth can rely on. She believes we can change the world with hard work and dedication, but it starts with people caring enough to fight for what’s right. She uses her experiences in the system as a way to speak for those who can't and stand up for those who aren’t able to. She is living proof that you can come from nothing and still create something, therefore she wants others to absorb that same reminder.

Kaliyah
Kaliyah McKnight, (22) is currently a student at Rutgers University New Brunswick. She is also an aspiring filmmaker and screenwriter. Using her firsthand experience in the foster care system she hopes to strengthen community outreach.

Askar Mirza
Askar Mirza (19) is a Political Science student at Bergen Community College, and joined the DCF Youth Council in 2024. He interns with the United States Agency for International Development and has previously served as both a legislative intern and volunteer coordinator for various political offices in Bergen County. Askar hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy and continue to serve in government and advocacy in the future.

Jayden Feliz

Richard Liu-Zhuang
Richard Liu-Zhuang is focused on building a platform for supporting communities and civil justice. He is currently a student at Montclair State University completing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a focus on pre-law studies. Striving for excellence at Montclair will allow him to attend UC Berkeley, where he will pursue a Juris Doctorate. As a member of the New Jersey DCF Youth Council, Richard hopes to rework the current financial literacy curriculums, improve infrastructure to allow better adaptability, and push others around him to speak up on the pressing issues of today's world.

Pouya Ebrahimi
Pouya Ebrahimi is a Rutgers University New Brunswick alumnus and aspires to attend law school with a keen interest in non-profit public sector work, specifically in child welfare law.

Katheryn Paola-Lujan
Katheryn Paola Lujan has been on the NJ DCF Youth Council since its initiation in 2020, feeling deeply connected to its roots and purpose. She is moved by the law and is a paralegal with more than 3 years of experience. Katheryn hopes to continue to work at the state and federal level as a future attorney, helping those who most need it.

Stephanie Popper
Stephanie Popper joined the DCF Youth Council in January 2021. She is currently a senior at Monmouth University pursuing a degree in Political Science and a double minor in Anthropology and Social Work. As an aged out foster youth, she understands the importance of employment and the lack of resources foster youth are provided to find careers. She contributed to the employment tab of this website, hoping for youth to define their passions and pursue employment, training, trades, and other related occupations. Through the NJYRS site, youth will be provided tools and resources to make the pre-interview and post-interview process smoother and less intimidating. The employment tab's purpose of this website is to empower current and aged out fostered youth to be confident on the ins and outs of finding a job they authentically like.

Earl Clark Jr.
Earl Clark Jr (22) is a Trenton native currently attending Rowan University, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in psychology. Although Earl spent 6 years in NJ’s foster care system, the assistance and guidance he received helped mold him internally and externally into the person he is today. As a member of the DCF Youth Council: Aging Out and Communications Subcommittee, Earl works to help connect youth to the resources they need as they transition out of NJ’s foster care system. Earl’s goal is to integrate his voice and ideas to help create a better system that will meet the needs of young people in foster care, currently and in the future. Earl is looking forward to graduating in the spring of 2022 and hopes to work with young people helping them achieve opportunities for success.
Favorite Quote : “Don’t give a man a fish, give him a fishing rod.”

Elias Aster Gardener
Elias Aster Gardener is a college honors student who engages in the fields of biological sciences and education, with a dash of psychology. They have lived experiences in foster care, in addition to a history of leadership and cooperation skills.

Hailey D’Elia
Hailey D’Elia is a Policy and Advocacy Fellow at the Center for Adoption Support and Education, where she advocates for the mental health needs of the foster care and adoptive community. Hailey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Sociology with a Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Social Justice and Social Change from Rowan University. In 2020, she participated in Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s COVID-19 Pandemic Working Group and researched and wrote federal policy recommendations on bridging the digital divide with broadband and technology access for vulnerable youth and families. The following year, she participated in the Foster Youth Internship Program writing a congressional report on increasing mental health supports for youth aging out of foster care and interning for Senator Robert Menendez. Hailey worked on the education and getting involved tabs. Hailey’s first-hand experiences are a driving force behind her passion to reform the child

Ashton Hewitt

Shanice Wright
Shanice is currently a senior at Monmouth University pursing her bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is currently an intern at CP&P as a part of the Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program (BCWEP), an undergraduate social work program in New Jersey that works in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) on enhancing recruitment and retention for caseworkers in public child welfare. Shanice is also active on campus as a student leader for her Christian club called Cru. Lastly, Shanice enjoys singing, music, going to church, helping people, making people laugh, and hanging out with friends.