Kaja Just is based out of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is passionate about dismantling barriers for fosters. Kaja dedicates her time to being a full-time student at the University of Minnesota and serving fosters in various initiatives and commitments. She serves as the Chair of Youthprise’s Fostering Postsecondary Success Advisory Board and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of lived experience experts, to lift their voices rather than speaking for them.

Believing that those who have navigated the system hold the blueprint needed for change, Kaja channels her passion into action through NFYI, focusing on equipping fosters, and those impacted by systemic harm with comprehensive rights literacy and the navigational tools required to navigate systems and resources to support them to thrive. Outside of NFYI, she is also involved in environmental justice initiatives, supporting youth pursuing green careers through job fair planning, supporting grant writing, and climate justice initiatives.

Beyond her advocacy work, Kaja enjoys crafting handmade pottery, specifically as a wheel thrower, and spending time with animals. Through the Congressional Leadership Academy, she hopes to gain the skills needed to craft actionable steps for change, build coalitions, and to hone in on specifics within policy, like literacy and knowledge of rights, and systemic reform. She hopes to apply these learned skills to provide fosters with the tools to navigate and reform the systems that have, and continue to impact their lives.