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WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Gov. Deval Patrick spoke about growing up in poverty on the South Side of Chicago in an address on foster care Thursday at the Department of Children and Families' Second Annual Youth Summit.
In Pictures: Gov. Patrick Attends Youth Summit In Westborough
His family relied on welfare, and while he loved to read, he didn't own a book until he moved to Milton, Mass., when he was 14, Patrick told the gathering at Westborough's DoubleTree Hotel.
Click here for photos of the summit.
The governor encouraged youth in foster care to become leaders, regardless of their background.
"Have your reach exceed your grasp," he said. "We have great expectations of you."
According to DCF, about 100 youth participated in the summit, which offered workshops on financial literacy, higher education programs and healthy living, among others.
Patrick told reporters afterward he wanted to attend the summit as a reminder that foster children are still part of the community, and to thank the young people and adults working with them for their achievements.
Summit participant Natasha Wilson had been in and out of foster care since she was 6. Today, she's a business major at Westfield State University.
"I dealt with two stereotypes growing up. I was in foster care, and I was from Holyoke," she said, referencing the Western Massachusetts city with a rough reputation. "People thought, 'This girl has no future.' "
Wilson said she was grateful for DCF, without which she wouldn't have been able to attend college.
DCF Commissioner Angelo McClain, who was placed in foster care as a youth, said foster children can and do go on to accomplish great things.
"I'm still proud of where I come from. I want you guys to be proud of where you come from," he said. "It isn't a liability. It is a strength."
Comments (9)
wow you look mean NOT
Very often a person struggling to control tears or maintain composure, will grimace. Given the gesture to his heart, that may well be what the photo captures. However, the casual viewer might interpret the expression as hostile. Gov. Partick's demeanor in public is almost invariably warm, positive and gracious. The text of the story makes clear that the subject is emotional for the governor. The choice of this particular still to illustrate this particular story is, most likely, unintentionally misleading.
Hopefully these foster care kids found inspiration in these stories. It could make for a positive outcome for so many who are struggling: http://www.kidspeace.org/Fostercare_Outcomes.aspx
He is a loser so what can you expect from him
Would you like to know how the Governor could avoid having images like this of him online?
Not make those faces and gestures.
If you are the Governor, and you're at an event being covered by the press, there are going to be pictures.
Get over yourselves. If it was a Republican Governor, you would be up in arms about his "menacing look", but since its Governor Pothole, suddenly its the site's fault for putting up the pic?
Who's biased now??
I have found the reporters on this board rather biased against democrats. This is another example.
I think this picture of the Governor should be removed from the story. It's a very disrespectful capture. TDV is above that type of image. I voted for Healy and Baker, but still believe we should respect those in elected office.
ummm
I think it captures a more personal side of him. Read the story, I think it captures the context.
I see no problem with it at all.
Agreed, It is a unique picture - you rarely see the Governor in that pose. But it is also questionable. The editor should ask that the picture be swapped out for a different image. Otherwise, the Daily Voice risks being labelled as biased against the Governor.