We’re always excited when Stoneleigh Foundation wheels out new fellowships because the foundation places its fellows in positions where they work on challenging niches across government systems, largely between the criminal justice and child welfare systems.

The foundation just placed five new Emerging Leaders with five partners in Philadelphia. Those fellows will “improve postsecondary outcomes for vulnerable young people, enhance services provided to youth experiencing homelessness, and end school pushout for LGBT and gender non-conforming students.”

1. Seth Morones, The Field Center

Since graduating from Penn with his masters in education policy in 2015, Morones has been working with Urban Affairs Coalition and Action for Early Learning at Drexel University in youth development and early childhood education, respectively. He’ll be working with the Field Center to increase the supports that are available to foster youth aging out of the system. Part of that work will include compiling a “statewide directory of postsecondary services” for youth involved in the foster care system.

We can't wait to start working with you & @fieldcenter this fall to improve higher ed access for youth involved in the foster care system! https://t.co/55yKOOSw4M

— StoneleighFoundation (@StoneleighFdn) March 14, 2017

2. Rashni Stanford, People’s Emergency Center

The soon-to-be graduate of Bryn Mawr’s School of Social Work recently interviewed youth facing housing challenges for a national study called Voices of Youth Count. She’ll be working with PEC to build two separate advocacy coalitions: one of organizations providing youth services and one of the young people they serve. Both will look to improve existing policies surrounding youth homelessness.

Thanks @WillardPEC! We look forward to working w/ PEC & Rashni to identify policies & practices that benefit youth experiencing homelessness https://t.co/uGZ2uUWPor

— StoneleighFoundation (@StoneleighFdn) March 14, 2017

3. Whiquitta Tobar, Community Legal Services

Tobar received her JD from Georgetown University Law Center. Her fellowship will have her working with CLS’ Youth Justice Project, an initiative that aims to provide youth facing housing challenges with access to legal services through regular clinics.

We look forward to working with you all on such an important issue! https://t.co/aAS4HIUHA5

— StoneleighFoundation (@StoneleighFdn) March 14, 2017

4. Amber Wilson, Philadelphia Youth Network

Wilson is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) and a recent fellow with the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project. At PYN, Wilson will work to increase access to postsecondary opportunities for 16- to 24-year-olds neither in school nor working.

Looking forward to working with @PYNinc & @SGambone to support Amber's project in September! https://t.co/YR246ruX01

— StoneleighFoundation (@StoneleighFdn) March 14, 2017

5. Lizzy Wingfield, Education Law Center

Wingfield, who’s wrapping up her JD at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, has worked with CLS, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, Women’s Law Project and more. At Education Law Center, she’ll be advocating for policies and practice that disproportionately impact LGBTQ and gender non-conforming youth in Philly schools.

Excited to partner with you, as well, @edlawcenterpa – Looking forward to working w/ ELC's Emerging Leader Fellow Lizzy Wingfield this fall! https://t.co/ci1MbdcqIE

— StoneleighFoundation (@StoneleighFdn) March 14, 2017