Maryellen Santiago was raised in Bronx, New York, and is an alumna of two Connecticut foster care agencies: Department of Children and Family Services and Casey Family Services. She received a BASW from Western Connecticut State University and is currently a Masters student at Columbia University's School of Social Work. Her educational and career interests are in reducing homelessness and unemployment among young adults transitioning from the foster care system, as well as increasing their access to health services and higher education and expanding awareness of the racially disparate rates of children of color in the United States foster care system.
I am so proud of you.