Less than one percent of former foster youth earn a graduate degree – a statistic that makes Laura Singer, a successful attorney and product of the New Jersey foster care system, an exception to the rule. Her talk describes how the foster care-to-prison pipeline funnels traumatized youth into incarceration instead of graduation. Laura challenges us to rethink courage not as just surviving adversity, but changing the odds for all the youth in foster care. A product of the New Jersey foster care system, Laura Singer is a passionate advocate for children and systemic reform. She is a proud graduate of Syracuse University and Georgetown Law, and is currently a doctoral candidate at American University, where her dissertation focuses on policies and interventions to eradicate the foster care-to-prison pipeline. By day, Laura is a corporate attorney, but her dedication to children’s rights extends beyond the office. She works tirelessly as a volunteer attorney with DC Children's Law Center and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), ensuring vulnerable youth receive the support and advocacy they deserve. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx