50 local foster youth, involved in United Way’s $en$e-Ability project, participated in United Way’s Women in Philanthropy presents Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The Day at the Capitol was created to expose the participants to information about a potential career in government and to inspire them to reach for their dreams. See the photos!

The day’s activities began with an opportunity for the youth to go on a horseshoe tour of the Capitol – a behind the scenes look at the Governor’s office. As the day continued, the youth walked over to the California Museum and were greeted by seven influential officials with careers in government:

Deputy Secretary Stuart Drown – Government Operations Agency

Assemblymember Ken Cooley – District 8

Assemblymember Roger Dickinson – District 7

Secretary Diana Dooley – Health and Human Services Agency

Deputy Commissioner Mona Prieto – California Highway Patrol

Director Mark Ghilarducci – Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Mona Pasquil – Appointments Secretary

After brief introductions, the panel members joined the youth throughout the room and covered themes such as: college/pre-workforce life, getting started in the workforce, growing your career, how mentors have been involved in our life, challenges and successes and future aspirations.

After the event, the youth shared that talking with the panel members gave them a new perspective on careers in general. One youth shared she was surprised to see that they had all started at the bottom and have worked their way up to where they are in their careers today.

A special thank you to member Bimla Rhinehart, who passed away last year, for coming up with the idea for this fabulous event.  We are so grateful to have had Bimla as a member of Women in Philanthropy and her legacy will live on through future Day at the Capitol events.

Click to see event photos!