Greyson: Creating Chosen Family

Twenty-one-year-old Greyson is dedicated to advocating for himself and his peers in foster care.

As a leader in B:E’s first Youth Council, Greyson shares, “I want to listen to youth and find ways for them to feel supported and have power and control while they’re in care.”

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside B:E as an adult,” says Greyson. “The council is a great space for us to share ideas, to laugh, and to heal together.”

“I’ve always been an advocate, for my sisters first and now for youth like me,” Greyson shares.

Growing up, Greyson cared for his two younger sisters in an abusive and unsafe home situation. When he came out to his Mexican family as transgender and queer, he was not accepted. And when Greyson entered foster care at 15, he saw that youth like him were not receiving the support they need.

“I was bounced around a lot and only ever lived in group homes,” Greyson shares, “where I saw youth like me being treated differently. So I always helped peers advocate for themselves.”

To continue his advocacy work, Greyson is pursuing his AA in sociology at Laney College, where he’ll graduate next spring, on his journey to earning his MSW. “I want to help youth on a larger scale,” Greyson shares, “like I was helped.”

“When I entered care, I started going to B:E workshops, and they helped me enroll in college and apply for financial aid,” Greyson shares. “B:E has opened doors for me,” Greyson adds. “They really care about youth, and they provide resources and a sense of community.”

“A chosen family like B:E is so important for those of us who were left or rejected by biological families,” says Greyson, who is part of a chosen family committed to helping young people.

“My younger self would have never thought it possible that I’d be where I’m at,” says Greyson. “I was told I was nothing, but here I am. I get to be in charge of my life, have a support system, and help youth build the skills to advocate for themselves.”