Carolyn Torres is from Itasca, IL, and is passionate about addressing environmental injustice and social inequities in impoverished and vulnerable communities. She dedicates her time to on-campus activism on social justice issues, student leadership, mentoring former foster youth through a program called Y-CAP, and pursuing her double major in Agriculture and Consumer Economics: Environmental Economics and Policy and Sustainability in Food and Environmental Systems.

With a strong belief that communities thrive when youth are empowered and have the
opportunity to lead change, Carolyn channels this passion into action through her participation in the Congressional Leadership Academy. Outside of NFYI, she is involved in law organizations and campus groups centered on leadership, community service, and sustainability initiatives at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Beyond her advocacy work, Carolyn enjoys dancing, discovering new restaurants, and finding new ways to stay creatively inspired. Through the Congressional Leadership Academy, she hopes to gain leadership skills and a deeper understanding of federal policymaking and advocacy strategies and apply them to advancing equitable opportunities for youth impacted by the foster care system.