Congresswoman Kuster Hosts Local Youth to Discuss Foster Care Initiatives

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-NH, on Wednesday hosted Nashua native Mark Laing for the fourth annual “Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day.”

Nearly 70 foster youth and alumni from across the country traveled to Washington, DC to shadow members of Congress in order to get a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the House of Representatives, and to discuss foster care policy with their representatives.

“I was delighted to welcome Mark to Washington as a part National Foster Care Month – his excitement and curiosity were inspiring,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Mark and the other participants in this fantastic program remind us that even in the face of difficult challenges, so many foster children exhibit strength and optimism. I am committed to helping ensure all foster children have the support they need to live healthy and happy lives, and I was grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from Mark about how those of us in Congress can work on the federal level to support and improve our nation’s foster care system.”

“Today our group talked to our Congresspeople about foster care, and how we believe we can make it better,” said Laing. “I enjoyed meeting Congresswoman Annie Kuster, because it gave me the opportunity to speak my mind about what can be done to improve foster care for New Hampshire youths.”

Mark shadowed Congresswoman Kuster throughout the day. Among other things, he attended a House Agriculture Committee hearing with the Congresswoman; accompanied the Congresswoman on the House floor to observe her speaking about the importance of NHTI, Concord’s Community College, and her commitment to expanding access to job training programs for young Granite Staters like him; and he joined a number of meetings with constituents from the Second District. He also met one-on-one with Congresswoman Kuster to learn more about what a Member of Congress does on a day-to-day basis, and he was given the opportunity to share with the Congresswoman details about his time in foster care, and his thoughts and suggestions on how Congress can support America’s foster care system.