Earlier this year, a group of VOYCE kaimahi and Rangatira travelled to California, USA, for a unique training opportunity with the Foster Youth Museum. This experience was part of our growing journey to amplify the voices of care-experienced young people in Aotearoa.
In early 2025, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai piloted our own museum pop-up in Ōtautahi, Christchurch — a powerful showcase of stories from rangatahi with lived experience in care. Wanting to build on this momentum, we connected with the team at California Youth Connection, a youth-led NGO that has been empowering foster youth since 2006. With their long-standing expertise in curating the Foster Youth Museum, they were the perfect mentors to guide our Aotearoa Care Experienced Youth Museum Advisory Group.
With the support of Tayla Taylor (Kaiārahi – Ōtautahi), Tracie Shipton (VOYCE CEO), and Jamie Lee Evans (VOYCE ally and Executive Director of the Foster Youth Museum), VOYCE Rangatira Saron, Jake, and Amanda spent a transformative week in California — immersed in learning, storytelling, and inspiration.
Here are their reflections from the trip — and their hopes for the future of care-experienced storytelling in Aotearoa.
Saron:
“For me, the trip to California was life changing. It was a trip that I never felt like I could, or would do – and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity. Meeting young people with similar backgrounds, even in another country – feels like you’ve known them a lifetime and I’ve made a few friendships that I will carry with me forever, including international mentors.
When I first joined the Care Experience Museum Advisory Group at VOYCE, I didn’t know what it’d look like, or what to expect. Most importantly, I wasn’t sure how we could make it a great success and part of Aotearoa’s history.
Learning about the museum process from the team in California was a lot! There are so many parts and every person had an important job, no matter how big or small. I loved seeing familiar faces I’d only seen in pictures and on screen in real life, and to hear their journey in person was special.
My favourite part of learning about the museum was definitely how curation worked. I had the privilege of meeting an amazing care experienced young woman who works for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates – they are awesome people who speak up for a child’s best interest in court) and she and I worked on a lot of the artefacts together, reading the history behind a piece of work, and sharing our understanding to bring that piece to life. This experience was extraordinary and such a rush that I would have next expected.
Foster Youth Museum (FYM) America is a living show – its blood comes from those who donated the biggest parts of themselves, and the heart beats from the community that feeds it and shows up no matter where the exhibition goes.
My American friends/family we met along the way are the most beautiful, kindest souls I have ever met. They made us feel so cared for, showing up to meet us, not just because we were the ‘token foster kids’, but because they were former foster youth too. I found so much hope in seeing the support from the former foster youth, as it gave me hope for what the powerful movement we can create in Aotearoa.
We saw the exhibition, we move boxes, shared out stories, and so much more, but for me, I feel like we joined a larger, international care community. While I hope that there are smaller numbers of foster youth in the future, I also hope that for the next generation that they experience the mentors, friends and chosen family who will tap in and support them that I witnessed in the team from FYM America.
Overall, while we missed our families back home in Aotearoa, it felt like we could have spent so much more time learning and witnessing the amazing work and people we left behind – I hope to see them all again one day.”
Amanda:
“Travelling to the US was an amazing experience – also learning that I can sleep for 10 hours on a 12 hour flight mad it that much better!
Knowing that what we experience in the New Zealand foster system is similar to almost anywhere overseas, and seeing it, hearing it and understanding it, absolutely blew my mind. Having the chance to meet and spend time with such resilient and kind hearted young people is an opportunity I will always be grateful for. I am proud of the organisations who are on the frontline, working for the current young people in the system, and the support provided to those who have ‘aged out’.
Installing the exhibition was exhilarating, especially learning from those who hold so much experience, and have supported this mahi for the last 20 years. This included learning about things from the storage of artefacts, to protection measures taken for each individual and unique artefact. We learned about the precise handling and maintenance to ensure that the quality remains. There was so much more that went into that process than I thought.
Amongst the busy-ness of the workload, I was also given the chance to take part in a workshop with the one and only Michael Papias – a care experienced young person with so much photography and creative knowledge. Along with Saron, Jake, Tayla and Tracie, we learned about the power in storytelling through photography, which is another experience I am so grateful for. We learned a lot about Michael’s ability to represent his Mexican culture through handmade albums, and how to use specific lens on the camera to capture the day.
I am excited to bring the museum to Aotearoa and show our experiences, our culture, our people. This is a big job that I am very proud to be a part of, and I look forward to creating a safe space for our stories to be held and shown.”
Jake:
“Travelling from Aotearoa to the United States was more than just a trip; it was a powerful journey of reconnection, learning and pride. As a care-experienced rangatahi and advocate with VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, being chose to travel overseas and work alongside the Foster Youth Museum team was a deeply meaningful experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Even though the members of the team travelling were scattered across different locations, the preparation for the journey ahead was done through online zoom meetings. These sessions brought our group together, allowing us to connect and prepare for the work that lay ahead. These late night zoom calls allowed us to dive deeper into the logistics of the exhibition, the significance of the artefacts we would be handling, and the critical importance of the stories we were about to help share. We discussed everything from practical details, to the emotional weight of the work, ensuring that we understood the importance of our roles. The group was united in our purpose, and I felt both empowered and humbled by the responsibility we were entrusted with.
We were based in Alameda, California for the first part of our stay. During our time in Alameda, our hands-on mahi begun, where were met at a storage facility, which held the treasured artefacts of the Foster Youth Museum. As we spent time in the storage space, it was immediately clear that each artefact was more than just an object; they were pieces of people’s lives, their histories, and their identities. Some were objects that had been with them through their journey in care, while others symbolised moments of hope, strength, or survival. We carefully and respectfully loaded the items into a U-Haul, understanding that what we were carrying weren’t just physical items, but stories.
What really stood out to me most was the sense of community that formed through this work. As we worked together, we not only learned from each other, but we also formed connections based on shared values of care and respect for each other. The experience reminded me of how important it is to work together, especially when the goal is to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced or overlooked.
After completing the work at the storage unit, we shifted to Redwood City, as the Redwood City Library was where the Foster Youth Museum was being set up. We started the exhibit setup, unloading the U-Haul, transforming the blank space into a deeply moving narrative. Together with the help of volunteers, we laid our artefacts, organised written pieces, and made sure every item was displayed with dignity and intention. It was an honour to help bring those voices to life. Every detail mattered, every story mattered.
One of the most unforgettable parts of the experience was the opportunity to work closely with Michael Papias over three days to set up a dedicated photography exhibition within the museum. The photographs taken not only depicted personal journeys, but also included images of artefacts that held deep meaning, and objects that connect young people to their pasts and cultures. Michael is also the founder of Orphan Tongue, a zine initiative led by foster youth, for foster youth. It reminded me that our creative voices hold power and when we share them, we build bridges that span far beyond borders.
We had the privilege of dining with the team from CASA of San Mateo County. Learning about CASA’s commitment to advocating for vulnerable children and youth was truly inspiring. Their holistic approach, which included rigorous volunteer training and a deep understanding of the child welfare system, ensures that each child’s voice is heard and their needs are met.
During our time in Redwood City, I also had the pleasure of meeting Reed Connell, the Executive Director of ‘A Home Within’, which focuses on providing consistent, long-term relationships for foster youth who are ageing out of the system. A Home Within volunteer mentors plat a vital role in providing emotional support and guidance, helping youth navigate the complexities of adulthood while ensuring they don’t have to do it alone.
After all our mahi in Northern California, our journey continued with a shift to Los Angeles, and this was a time for joy, exploration, and connection. This time reminded me that we deserve moments of celebration, just as much as we deserve healing. The absolute highlight for me, was going to Disneyland. It was everything I imagined and more. I got to laugh, feel like a kids again, and just enjoy life in the purest form.
After our time in LA, we returned to Redwood Cirt for the highly anticipated opening night of the exhibition on April 4th. I was completely blown away by the turnout, which was heartwarming to see so many people gathered, eager to learn and support the voices of care experienced youth. It was truly a space of connection, where people from different walks of life came together to celebrate these stories. The team from VOYCE led a karakia and waiata at the opening, which was an incredibly special moment – allowing us to ground ourselves in our tikanga, and share a piece of our culture with everyone present. It felt like a significant offering from Aotearoa to the museum, creating a powerful connection between the exhibition and our own whakapapa.
Aotearoa had set up its own exhibit, showcasing artefacts contributed by former foster youth in Aotearoa. This was an emotional experience for me personally, as one of the was pieces I contributed was displayed. To see something that represented part of my story and culture showcased was incredibly moving. It was a reminder that our voices matter, that our stories, our history, and our culture, deserve to be shared and celebrated on a global stage.
Over the course of these 10 days, I experienced so many sides of myself: the advocate, the artist, the collaborator, and the kid who still believes in magic. This experience reminded me how powerful our stories are when shared, and how important it is to create spaces for care experienced voices to be seen and heard.
I’m endlessly grateful for VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai for making this journey possible. Their unwavering support and belief in us as care-experienced youth transformed a dream into reality. VOYCE doesn’t just advocate for us, they walk alongside us, creating pathways for growth, healing, and leadership – not just for ourselves but for every rangatahi still in the system.
To the funders, supporters, and everyone who believes in the potential of care-experienced youth – thank you. Your investment is not just in programs or initiatives, it’s in the lives and futures of young people who are now empowered to lead, inspire, and create lasting change.
I return home to Aotearoa filled with purpose, pride, and a vision to help build something just as meaningful in Aotearoa. Because our stories are sacred, our voices are strong, and our futures – they’re ours to shape.”
Stay tuned to our VOYCE social media platforms to see when and where we bring the Foster Youth Museum to Aotearoa again.
