It is through personal and professional experiences that Marcella has gained the confidence and knowledge to challenge society’s ideals of success. Her evolution through consistent adversities has shifted her values which empowers greater self-awareness and awareness of the world around her. Marcella fights every day for freedom, equity, and protection for all people. Marcella is book and street smart, which supports her ability to assess real world problems and provide real world solutions. She has advocated for 15 years for youth in foster care and other nontraditional living arrangements. Career goals would include promoting transformational change where youth and young adult leaders are experts in making the necessary decisions to change the systems that serve them.

Being a CEO is impressive, but it becomes even more compelling when coupled with firsthand experience in youth-serving systems, systems that I work to transform.I am dedicated to fighting for freedom, equity, and protection for all youth and young adults. My leadership at A Way Home America is groundbreaking, as I am the first CEO with lived expertise in this organization. I am breaking down stereotypes and showing that individuals with lived expertise can hold positions of power and create lasting, transformative change. My bravery in embracing this new and daunting role is truly inspiring.My journey began as a youth in foster care advocating, fearlessly voicing the concerns of fellow young adults in various youth-serving systems, including foster care, homelessness, juvenile justice, and mental health. Through my own personal growth amidst constant challenges, I have cultivated a deep understanding of both myself and the world around me.I am here to serve as a authentic partner to fellow youth and individuals who are passionately dedicated to the well-being and advancement of young people. Together, we form a collective force that actively advocates for the rights and needs of youth, while striving to bring about lasting change. Our shared goal is to challenge and transform existing systems that often fail to prioritize the voices and concerns of young individuals. By doing so, we aim to empower those who have been voiceless, ensuring that their perspectives are heard, valued, and integrated into decision-making processes. Through collaboration, determination, and a commitment to youth empowerment, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Created and Co-trained accredited online and in-person trainings for social workers who work directly with children, youth and families. Developed 5 Division of Health and Human Services (DHHS) accredited curriculums to train social workers.Trained 7 DHHS accredited curriculums in-person and virtually forover 9,000 social workers. Successfully co-facilitated over 250 trainingsCreated guides that supported social workers and foster parents inworking with teenage youth and young adults in foster careCo-Facilitate training's on CFTs (Child and family Team) meetings that inform social workers on how to best involve the youth and their families in the CFT meetings.Inform social workers on new information about teen brain development during the online and onsite training's my co-facilitator.Encourage youth and adult working partnerships,Provide technical support on the online trainings.Presented at national and statewide conferences.

Mentor SaySo youth in the substitute care systemTrain youth holding Board of Director leadership positions on strategic sharing, how to speak on panels, how to host events and how to build workshopsAttend, host and work youth conferences

Attend LINKS conference calls. LINKS is an independent living program that assists all youth in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18 transition into adulthood. The conference calls allow me, the state LINKS program coordinator, LINKS social workers and child welfare stake holders around the state to network, exchange important information about college, policy changes, resources, youth and/or parent workshops, conferences, and trainings.Develop and maintain LINKS contact list that contains the contact information of all the LINKS social workers in the state.Serve as a contact for alumni foster youth who have aged out of the foster care system at 21years old and are in need of Medicaid as well as information on Medicaid.Travel around the state and facilitate youth and adult workshops, conferences, and trainings that educate foster youth on how to maintain a positive and safe lifestyle as well as inform foster parents and social workers on how to assist youth in transition to adulthood.Partnership with Sayso (strong able youth speaking out). Sayso is a youth advocacy board that is comprised of youth who have lived in substitute living situations and advocate for foster youth in the state as well as themselves.Serve on statewide task forces that focus on making needed changing within the foster care/child welfare systems on North Carolina.

Work in the field with CPS (child protective services), Investigative workers, while they work with children and families.Serve as the intake worker.Working with supervisors to screen in or out reports that are taken through Intake.Properly documented services rendered to clients.Attend staffing meetings that evaluate the work of the social workers as well as monitor the children and family clients.Mentor the LINKS youth in foster care, and serves as a support system.Create Local Sayso Chapters in Scotland, Richmond, and Robeson County

Mentored youth who were having difficulties at home or school. Encouraged youth to stay in school and get involved in their communities in a positive and useful way.Implemented daily after school curriculums that furthered child development.Assisted youth with homework by providing supplemental instruction.

Traveled throughout the United States and advocated on behalf of foster youth for positive change in the child welfare system.Worked with several influential child welfare stake holders in Washington, DC to discuss and revamp child welfare policies.Developed, re-developed and facilitated workshops for youth conferences.Attended trainings with NYTD (National Youth in Transition Database) that implemented better leadership skills, partnership skills, and speaking skills.Collaborated with youth-lead organizations.Encouraged advocacy partnerships among youth and adults.

Completed 130 service learning hours. Mentored and encouraged youth to be resilient, to be leaders, to create positive change, and to become educated.Assisted youth with homework, life skills and extra curricular activities.

Reviewed and revised Child Welfare Adolescence policy and then attended meetings about policy changes in the Child Welfare Adolescence policy.Attended Sayso youth conferences and meetings to gather information about proposed changes in foster care policy, state and locally.Collaborated with co-workers on webinars that informed social workers on foster youth needs from the foster youth perspective. Presented at child welfare conferences as a foster youth alumni, sharing my foster care experiences and encouraging professionals to continue their great work.

Participated in-group discussion and supported the young girls who attended.Maintained a great rapport with the young girls through open communication, encouragement, and honesty.