My name is Nenia Samayoa, I am a mother to a beautiful 11-year-old daughter. I am a student at CSUDH studying psychology. I am passionate about advocacy, resilience, and restorative justice.

Currently, I am working as a children and youth coordinator for the Center of the Pacific Asian Family. My long term goal is to attend law school and become a legal advocate for former foster youth or any youth impacted by systemic barriers.

As a former foster youth, I’ve realized that so many of us have been impacted by systemic barriers, environmental, and historical trauma that goes underlooked. I believe in problem solving the root cause of cycles that keep youth and youth adults from healing and thriving. Change only happens when we address issues from ground up.