Sixto Cancel: Transforming Child Welfare Through Personal Experience
Sixto Cancel is a visionary leader reshaping child welfare, drawing deeply from his own journey through the foster care system. Placed into foster care at just 11 months old, Cancel experienced firsthand the challenges and flaws of a system often marked by instability and disconnection. Today, as the founder and CEO of Think of Us, he harnesses his personal experiences to drive systemic change and advocate for a more compassionate approach to supporting vulnerable children.
A Personal Journey Shaping Policy
Cancel’s early experiences profoundly shaped his mission to innovate and reform child welfare practices. His time in foster care inspired him to establish Think of Us in 2017, a tech-driven nonprofit initially focused on amplifying the voices of foster youth through virtual storytelling. Over time, the organization has expanded its scope to develop practical solutions and advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being and future of children in foster care.
Centering Kinship Care: A Systemic Shift
A cornerstone of Cancel’s advocacy is kinship care — placing children with extended family members or familiar adults instead of traditional foster care settings. He champions the stability and relational continuity that kinship care offers, contrasting it with the potential trauma and instability often associated with other placements. This approach reflects his belief in nurturing environments that support children’s emotional and developmental needs.
Recognized Impact and Global Influence
Cancel’s efforts have gained significant recognition, including support from the Audacious Project, a TED initiative dedicated to funding bold ideas for global change. His TEDx talk encapsulates his vision for transforming child welfare by centering on kinship care and leveraging technology to improve outcomes for youth in foster care.
Integrating Cancel’s TEDx Talk
In his TEDx talk, Cancel articulates his personal journey and the transformative potential of prioritizing kinship care within child welfare systems. He outlines how Think of Us uses innovative approaches to advocate for policy reforms and empower communities to provide stable, nurturing environments for children in need. His insights challenge conventional practices and inspire a movement towards a more empathetic and effective approach to supporting vulnerable youth.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Change
As Cancel continues to lead Think of Us forward, his commitment to reshaping child welfare practices remains steadfast. By advocating for systemic changes that prioritize kinship care and supporting initiatives that empower families and communities, Cancel embodies a powerful force for positive change in the lives of vulnerable children.
Sixto Cancel’s journey from foster care youth to influential advocate exemplifies the profound impact of personal experience on driving meaningful societal change. Through Think of Us, he continues to redefine what’s possible in child welfare, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a loving and stable environment.
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