Couch Conversations: Honoring Lived Experience Voices of Foster Care

Join us in honoring Foster Youth Voice Month by hearing first-hand insight into the realities of foster care, as shared by those with lived experience right here in Utah. Our panelist experts will share their stories, challenges, and triumphs.

Who is invited?
Community members and anyone interested in learning more about foster care and making a difference!

What to expect?
Our panelist experts will share their stories, challenges, and triumphs followed by Keynote Speakers James Hidds-Monroe and Simone Hidds-Monroe. By listening to their experiences, we develop a deeper understanding of the complexities these individuals face, allowing us all to foster empathy, compassion, and awareness. These courageous adults unite to share their unique experiences in hopes of building a more informed, compassionate, and supportive community for youth in foster care.

We will also be privileged to witness and hear talent from local youth impacted by foster care through a gallery of displays and a live performance by one of our panelists, Cadon Sagendorf.

Refreshments and childcare provided! Due to the topical nature of the event, we’d like to encourage our audience guests to be 12 and older. There will be childcare provided for children 12 and under on a first come first served basis.

Where is it located?
Dixie Convention Center (Ballroom AB): 1835 Convention Center Drive St. George, UT

Lived Experience Couch Conversations Panel

Natalie Clark, MSW Student, Advocate, & Speaker – Natalie spent six years in and out of Utah’s foster care system between the ages of 3 and 17. She graduated in 2021 with her Bachelor of Social Work and is currently studying for a Master of Social Work from the University of Utah. Natalie began her work in peer support in 2015 with Salt Lake County Youth Services to Utah’s Department of Child and Family Services TAL Program and many in-between. Natalie is a Co-founder of the 1999 Collective and a Lived Experience Leader with the National Foster Care Alumni Network FosterClub. Her extensive involvement in local and national advocacy aims to enhance and inform state foster care systems through the lens of lived expertise. Her life’s mission is to empower young people with lived experiences in their pivotal role of reshaping the child welfare system. “It’s not about what you go through in life, nor necessarily how you make it through so much as about how you help others get through what you made it through” – Natalie Clark

Oscar Sheperd, Father & Sales Expert – Oscar has 2 adorable children, ages 2 and 3. He is a student of self-improvement both mentally and physically. Oscar has chosen many people to be his family and has become a mentor, companion and connector to those from all facets of his life. Oscar works for Vitl as a solar sales expert

Cadon Riley, Foster Care & Mental Health Advocate – Cadon is currently a student at Utah Tech University pursuing a degree in Psychology. Cadon is a mental health and foster care advocate as he works both at the state and local community levels to support those who have been impacted by the foster care system. Cadon has served as vice president of the Utah Youth Council Advisory Board for foster care, as well as has been involved in several leadership roles while on campus at Utah Tech. Post-grad, Cadon hopes to continue his education toward receiving a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology. Cadon enjoys sharing his voice through singing and performing. Cadon has a passion for helping people and creating a space for people to explore their own identities.

Katelyn Stark, Foster Care Advocate & Speaker – Katelyn is an experienced speaker and youth advocate. She is the current president of the Foster Care Youth Council for the state of Utah and uses her platform to share her story and advocate for the foster care community. She is passionate about giving a voice to solutions that would make a positive impact on youth. Styling hair and makeup are fun pastimes for her. In addition to helping the foster community, she is working to achieve her dream of being a registered nurse.

Beau, Student & Advocate – Beau is a current student of Mechanical Engineering and German at the University of Utah. He is at 16 years old the youngest youth in the Utah foster care system to graduate high school and go to college. He has served as the vice president of the Southwest Region youth council and worked as an intern at Utah DHHS in Salt Lake City. In his free time he enjoys going backpacking and playing chess. When he is 18 he plans to go study abroad in Germany or Chile and work as an engineer after college.

Keynote Speakers:

James Hidds-Monroe is the Impact & Systems Data Strategist at JIT who has 6 years of lived experience within the foster care system and has spent the last 15 years committed to empowering our young people, who are system impacted, to reach self-sufficiency, wellbeing, and life satisfaction.

Simone Hidds-Monroe is a Lived Expert of the foster care system, dedicated to advocating for system change grounded in partnership with current and former foster youth through her role as the Chief Advocacy & Community Empowerment Officer at JIT.