The Alliance for Children’s Rights provides free legal services and advocacy to protect the rights of impoverished and abused children and youth so that they have safe, stable homes, health care and the education they need to thrive. Since our founding in 1992, we’ve served over 70,000 children and youth.

Contact: Laura Hunt or Derric Johnson

l.hunt@kids-alliance.org, d.johnson@kids-alliance.org

(213) 368-6010

The Institute for Multimedia Literacy is an organized research unit dedicated to developing educational programs and conducting research on the changing nature of literacy in a networked culture. The IML’s educational programs promote effective and expressive communication and scholarly production through the use of multiple media applications and tools.

Contact: Matthew Williams, mwilliams@cinema.usc.edu

© 2008 YCDP

Cameras Generously Donated by

Deloitte

Youth Council

Documentary

Project

YCDP

A project by

Laura Hunt, Derric Johnson and

Matthew Williams

Nicole is an aspiring healer and teacher. Determined to

make a difference, she will start by getting her teaching

credential so she can help other misguided youth stay

above water and catch a breath. From the age of 15 to

19, she endured the struggles of being a foster youth.

She hopes to either adopt a foster child or open her own

home to create a place where youth will be respected

and able to be themselves without judgment.

The Filmmakers

Walter Baneggas is 22 years old and attends Cal State

Northridge, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Business.

He works full time at The Alliance for Children’s Rights

as a legal assistant for the Next Step Program. Walter

and his fiancé, Crystal, are raising their 3 year old

daughter Evie. After immigrating to the United States

by himself at age 12, he spent 5 years in the foster care

and probation systems.

Joyce Bell is a 21 year old who recently completed her

cosmetology certification from the Marinello School of

Beauty and is currently working as a hair dresser. In

addition to working toward opening her own salon, Joyce

is pursuing a career in fashion, having recently applied

to The Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising.

Joyce entered the foster care system at the age of 6.

Jesse Rios is a 20 year old student at Cal State

Northridge pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Architecture

with minors in both Business and Culinary Studies. An

ambitious entrepreneur, Jesse is also employed as a

Community Worker with the Department of Children

and Family Services. Jesse entered foster care at the

age of 12.

Roshell Davis is a student of Cal State Northridge

where she majors in Journalism with an emphasis on

Public Relations, and will graduate next year. This

aspiring P.R. professional also enjoys her position

working with children at a local preschool. Roshell

was in foster care for 7 years before being adopted at

age 16.

Jeffrey Solano is an aspiring actor and wrestler.

Between pursuing his two passions, Jeff is preparing to

enroll in community college to pursue a Nursing degree.

Jeff is also looking to reconnect with his sister, from

whom he was separated as a child. He was in the foster

care and probation systems from age 8 to 19. Jeff plans

on starting up his own foster home some day to take

care of disadvantage kids who need a loving family. He

currently works with an autistic child on the weekends.

Tafari Gonzalez is a 20 year old student attending L.A.

Valley City College. After completing his associate’s

degree, he hopes to transfer to UCLA. Tafari is currently

employed at Best Buy and was recently awarded a

prestigious grant from The Serpentine Project. He has

long term aspirations of becoming a director and

producer in the entertainment business. Tafari entered

the foster care system at the age of 10.

Liz Garcia is 22 years old, attending Trade Tech College

and working full time at The Alliance for Children’s

Rights. She looks forward to pursuing a bachelor’s degree

and working directly with families in crisis. She is also the

legal guardian of her 2 younger brothers, and is working to

give them a bright future. Liz was in foster care for 4

years, starting at age 15.

Trayvon Walker is a 22 year old working to help

his younger siblings who are still in the foster

care system. He currently helps his brothers

with their home placements, their school and has

them over for weekend visits. Trayvon is on

break from Long Beach College, where he hopes

to continue his studies in the arena of social

work and social services. He was in foster care

from age 2 to 19.

Jessica Chandler is 20 and attends El Camino College,

where she was recently awarded a scholarship. She is

currently working toward a degree in psychology and

aspires to be a therapist for troubled women and girls,

as well as a professor, motivator and writer. Her life is

split between her studies and her one year old son,

Noah. Jessica was in the foster care and probation

systems from age 13-18.