Lived Experts Action Panel (LEAP)
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OurLEAP Team
Elizabeth Arrieta
Elizabeth Arrieta
Elizabeth is a young adult who grew up in the foster care system since the age of 12 but has successfully accomplished her goal of emancipating and moving out on her own at the age of 18. She is also part of LEAP who are all working together to help make the changes needed in the system to help more young adults to be successful. Elizabeth is currently part-time working and part-time schooling. She goes to Community College of Denver planning to transfer to Colorado University of Boulder and major in Political Science for a bachelor’s degree. Later hoping to go to law school and either become an Immigration Attorney or a Guardian Ad Litem, Elizabeth would most of all love to make an impact in people’s lives who are living through the foster care system and say that you can always do it and to never give up.
Maya Chandler
Maya Chandler
I grew up in Crested Butte, CO before going to school in Denver. I currently attend the University of Colorado Denver studying Political Science and Public Policy with a minor in Legal Studies. I have always been passionate about being a lawyer and hope to help change laws for bettering youth in foster care.
Shelby Costello
Shelby Costello
Shelby is a 5th generation Denver native. Her goals are to make it far in life heading in the social work direction and bettering the foster care community. Being a former foster child, and having a rough come up on and off the streets and in the system, she aspires to achieve eventually opening her own second chance center.
Nyomi Davis
Nyomi Davis
I am currently attending the University of Denver on a full ride scholarship from the Daniels Foundation. I am doing a double major of Socio-Legal studies and Public Policy with a minor in Business Ethics and Legal studies. I aged out of the foster system in 2020 and have been a member of LEAP since Summer 2021. I am pursuing a career in law that will lead me into being a judge. I want to show other youth in the foster system that the adversity we face in our childhood can be turned into something good for other people. Our experiences are unique and we offer just as much, if not more, to our ever evolving society.
Rachel Kelalu
Rachel Kelalu
I’m Rachel Kelalu and I am from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I’m a student at the Community College of Denver and, this coming Summer, I will be getting my Associates degree in Science and will transfer to the University of Colorado for my Bachelor’s degree. I would like my career to revolve around “PATIENTS” which I fondly call “nursing.” I like being in a position to help others and I love serving others in and out of the hospital. One thing I know for sure: I was called to be a nurse. If you want to become a good nurse, you will need to be a HUMAN FIRST! I currently serve as a member of the Lived Experts Panel at OCR and am a mom!
Alisiana Medina
Alisiana Medina
Alisiana is Native to the state of Colorado and is a member in her tribe Diné/Navajo, also recognized as ‘Navajo Nation.’ Her Nation regions over what is known as the ‘Four Corners.’
She is grew up in child welfare system in various forms, which were from group homes, foster care homes here in the state of Colorado and eventually ‘aged out of the system’ (emancipation). She continues her journey by continuing her education with graduating with her AAS (Associate of Applied Science) and Pre-law with a Paralegal certification and transfer into University of Colorado, Denver in the SPA (School of Public Affairs) in pursuit of her BA in Criminal Justice and minor in Legal Studies.
All the while continuing her advocacy work through Children’s Bureau and CDHS (Colorado Department Human Services), CWD (Child Welfare Division) with ‘Pathway to Success – Milestones of Foster Care,’ ‘Pathways to Success Steering Committee,’ part of designing of NYTD ‘National Youth in Transition Database,’ advisor ‘Educational Opportunities Workgroup, ‘Collaborative Child Welfare Response to Human Trafficking Task Group,’ and the Continuing Jurisdiction Exploratory Committee,’ CYLN (Colorado Youth Leadership Network,’ and ‘Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Program Advisory Board.’ Collaboration with CNAY (Center for Native American Youth) and CCIA (Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs) with ‘SAIGE Leadership’ and ‘ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) Tribal Families Coalition.’ Collaboration with NFYI (National Foster Youth Institution) with legislation processes.’ Collaboration with RMCLC (Rocky Mountain Children Law Center) with ‘Children’s Caucus,’ ‘Catalyze,’ ‘project Foster Power (pFP). And now serving and collaborating with DIFRC (Denver Indian Family Resource Center) with other nonprofits to help our relatives and native community members and the OCR (Office of Child Representatives) with LEAP (Lived Experts Action Panel) and also, Appointee by Jared Polis for Colorado Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Council.
In hopes to become a GAL (Guardian of Ad Litem) or a Family law, Tribal, Juvenile Attorney would be her dream!
“As I walk, As I walk the universe, The universe is walking with me, In beauty it walks before me, In beauty it walks below me, In beauty it walks above me, In beauty it is on every side as I walk, I walk with beauty.” ~Navajo Proverb
Alexander Miller
Alexander Miller
Alexander Miller was an active LEAP member until his passing in March 2022. He will always be remembered for his huge heart and smile, artistic talents, and advocacy for youth in foster care. Alex wrote the following biography.
My name is Alexander Miller. I was born in Denver Colorado, where I currently reside. I graduated from Gateway Highschool with my diploma in 2018. During my matriculation I was involved with multiple different placements in foster care. My lived experience provided me a lot of strength and maturity as I became more involved with making change in the foster care system. I have been involved with Project Foster Power, which is a youth led organization that brings change to the foster care system. In 2019 we passed the Sibling Bill of Rights. The Sibling Bill of Rights is a bill passed into law which establishes certain rights to keep the siblings together/connected where I was actively involved in that process. I have had immense work with Arapahoe County Chafee, building my life skills and attending multiple events to make change. I was involved with Metro Youth Alliance which is a youth advisory board making change in the community. All this work brought me closer to my motivation of making change in the system. I am currently involved with the Lived Experts Action Panel (LEAP) through OCR and that has motivated a very positive direction in me making a difference.
Lindsay Alexandria Saunders-Velez
Lindsay Alexandria Saunders-Velez
Lindsay Alexandria Saunders-Velez is a former foster child and youth from the Division of Youth Services. She is now the Founder and Senior Executive Director of the Colorado Justice Advocacy Network, an organization that aims to provide equal access to justice for individuals who are justice-involved, safeguard the rights and liberties of such individuals, and resolve matters in a timely and efficient manner. Lindsay also serves as a Commissioner of the Colorado Jail Standards Commission, the Vice Chair of Community and Personal Advocacy for Colorado Young Democrats, and a member of a stakeholder group through the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman. Lindsay has been recognized by the Colorado Department of Corrections for her outstanding service to justice-involved individuals. She is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Metropolitan State University Denver and has a long-term goal of earning a Juris Doctorate.
Rashiaa Veal
Rashiaa Veal
My name is Rashiaa Veal. I am a 21 year old mother of three. I am currently an full time entrepreneur living in Dallas, Texas. I am an active member of the Lived Experts Action Panel at OCR. My favorite color is pink!
Braeden
Braeden
Braeden is a young adult who has lived experience in the Division of Youth Services (DYS). While in DYS, Braeden achieved certificates related to running a victim empathy group, dog training, and Servsafe management (which is a nationally-accredited food management program). He enjoys baking! He is passionate about the rehabilitation of committed youth. He advocates for stakeholders and laws to view DYS as a treatment provider rather than a correctional system. Braeden hopes for equal opportunities for expungement for all committed youth. Braeden has completed courses at Colorado State University Pueblo and will transfer to the University of Washington for Applied Sciences. Braeden hopes his efforts in LEAP will contribute to statutory and practice changes related to juvenile adjudications.
