Community and Rehab Care - Community Living / September 20, 2024
Foster Care Recruitment Manager Elisia Manuel was selected as a 2024 . Elisia’s personal journey as a foster parent and adoptive mother led her to start her nonprofit organization, . The volunteer-run organization supports and provides resources to vulnerable Native American youth and their families.
鈥淭here鈥檚 thousands of Native children that are in care. I want kids to come and feel like their sense of identity and culture is right there,鈥� Elisia says. 鈥淚 really want all these kids to know that they鈥檒l always be accepted, they鈥檒l be loved, and know where they come from.鈥�
Elisia’s professional commitment is unwavering. She collaborates closely with Arizona tribes to place Native American children in foster care and educate foster families about the process and current laws. Her active involvement in the Native community is evident through her service on numerous organizations, including the Arizona Department of Child Safety Advisory Committee, Phoenix Indian Center Urban Indian Coalition ICWA Sub Committee, Arizona Friends in Foster Care Scholarship Committee, First Things First Gila River Council, Johnson O-Malley for Casa Grande, and the Native Americans Women’s Conference. Elisia’s dedication to community outreach is demonstrated through her direct work with youth in care, providing workshops that connect them to their heritage through food, music, and the arts.
Read the full article .
Filed under: Community and Rehab Care - Community Living, Media Hub