Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, along with several other state legislators, received the Mockingbird Society's "Legislative Champion" award last week at the Seattle-based organization's annual Foster Youth & Leadership Summit. The legislators were recognized for their commitment and passion to building a world-class foster care system in Washington.

The Mockingbird Society advocates for foster youth and supports chapters around the state that bring foster youth together and empower them to be their own advocates for positive change in the foster care system. Through conferences and skill-building workshops, the organization teaches foster youth learn how to use their voice to not only improve their own lives, but also the lives of other foster youth around the state.

"Bringing foster youth together and teaching them to be their own advocates is one of the most powerful ways we can help children and young adults succeed in the foster care system," Kohl-Welles said. "I commend the work of Jim Theofelis and the Mockingbird Society and look forward to continuing to work with them to improve the lives of these youth."