Name: James Wilson
Birthday: August 3, 1986
Email:jmw1986@pitt.edu
Hometown: Ephrata, Pa

Education/Employment: Senior at Shippensburg University, Youth Ambassador at University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Child Welfare Training Program

YAB involvement/ Care Experience: Youth Ambassador and Chairperson of Alumni Board, 2 ½ years in foster care

Region: South Central Region
I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and lived with my parents and siblings.  When I was nine my mother decided it would be best for our family to move away from the city life and pursue a better life.  We moved to Lancaster, Pa where my mother, my five siblings, and I lived until my mother could no longer care for us.  My Mother decided to put my siblings and me in care until she could get things back together.  My two sisters, brother and I were the only ones that could be placed in care because of our ages. For over two years we lived at Christ Home for Children in Paradise, Pa.  While in care I had great house parents who taught me how to become a man and succeed in and out of school. 

Shortly after it was determined that my mother was not able to get herself back together, my siblings and I had an opportunity to be adopted.  My social worker advised me not to get adopted because the area in which my adoptive parents lived was racist. That was far from the truth.  I was adopted along with my three siblings about eight years ago and it has been the greatest experience in my life.  Since then I am a senior in college at Shippensburg University and recently became a Youth Ambassador for the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Social Work Child Welfare Training Program.  My family is the most important thing in my life. They have always been there to encourage me no matter what task I took on.  I am looking forward to graduating in December of 2009 and continuing my commitment to help the youth involved in the Child Welfare System find happiness and success just as I have.