Distinguished Nomination for Dauntea Sledge

Dauntea Sledge recently participated in the White House Young America Series at OSU -- and now, he is on his way to Washington, D.C.

The initial of 15 educational conferences provided a venue for young leaders (ages 18-30):

• To meaningfully engage and interact with officials from the Obama Administration
• To discuss diverse policy areas that affect their community.
• To address policy and programmatic areas of importance, while identifying local success stories and practices in policy areas that could benefit other communities across the country.  
• To connect with each other and Obama Administration officials to share tools and community solutions that can be leveraged to address larger issues.

As follow-up to the White House Young America Series, the Millennium Momentum Foundation has selected select one student from each of the 15 states targeted and served by the White House Young America Series to participate in the White House Young America Series Outcomes and Results presentation.

• To showcase initiative results, regional impact, and how the distinguished efforts of selected students accompanying MMF in the presentation are continuing to advance local communities in their respective regions.

Because of Dauntea's pioneering participation on site at the White House Young America Series in Columbus, OH and demonstrated contribution to change, he received a Distinguished Recommendation for this opportunity.

Dauntea's participation and presentation in DC took place from Tuesday, July 10 - Thursday, July 12.

Dauntea's experience in DC included the following activities:

• MMF Commemorative 10th Anniversary White House Visit and Tour
• Special Session with the Obama Administration
• Obama Administration Briefing

2011 FosterClub All-Star, Dauntea Sledge

Dauntea Sledge is a former Franklin County foster youth who currently serves as President of the Franklin County Youth Advisory Board, and Media Spokesperson of the Ohio Youth Advisory Board. He is an active member of the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America.

Dauntea's volunteer experience includes the following:

• Bridges Out of Poverty Steering Committee
• Youth Violence Prevention Board
• Franklin County Citizen Corps Counsel
• Salesian Boys and Girls Club
• Americorps VISTA 

After attending the Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead programs as a participant, Dauntea now assists facilitators in leading workshops that support the Bridges Out of Poverty Initiative.

During his time with the Salesians Boys and Girls Club, Dauntea was the runner-up for "Youth of the Year" and received the "Turned Around Teen of the Year" award.

Dauntea spent a year volunteering for Americorps Vista, working for Community Properties of Ohio, working with people in poverty and broken homes.

Recent activities that Dauntea has been involved in include:

• Participating in an FCAA/FosterClub Focus Group to investigate launching an Americorps pilot targeted specifically for foster care youth
• Presenting as part of a Youth Panel during the 2010 Ohio CASA Conference
• Co-presenting workshops for youth during the 2010 Northeast Ohio Independent Living Summit
• Sharing the importance of "Youth Voice In Court" during a 2010 Judicial Teleconference hosted by the Ohio Supreme Court

After presenting during the 2010 Judicial Teleconference on Youth Voice in Court, Dauntea was asked to write an article for Common Ground, a publication of the Ohio Supreme Court that goes out to each of Ohio's 88 judicial districts. The decision was made that, from now on, there will be a Youth Corner in the Common Ground Publication.

During his time in foster care, Dauntea was able to stay in touch with his younger brother Antonio, in order to support and encourage him, and make sure he is aware of resources to assist in navigating both foster care and young adulthood.

Dauntea and Antonio currently volunteer to co-facilitate monthly activities for Village Network Columbus in order to help to prepare foster youth for adulthood, and encourage them to support one another as peers.

Additional investments that Dauntea makes with his time include:

• Supporting the goals of National Center for Adoption Law and Policy to starting a free legal clinic for current and former foster youth
• Supporting ODJFS in improving the quality of caseworker visits
• Supporting Ohio CASA in their desire to include the voices of current and former foster youth on Citizen Review Panels.
• Being a wonderful father to his two children: