We’re excited to announce the newest member of the Raikes Foundation youth homelessness team, Paula Carvalho. Paula was the Director of Youth Programs at The Mockingbird Society, where she oversaw the organization’s statewide dual focus on youth development and systems reform.

Paula will help lead the Foundation’s work to support coordinated community efforts to address youth homelessness. Having both lived experience in foster care and youth homelessness, she balances deep professional experience with compassion and perspective to policy analysis, leadership across the sector, and collaboration with youth. 

“Paula is the leader we need in youth homelessness,” says Casey Trupin, director of youth homelessness at the foundation. “Her deep commitment to authentically engaging young people in the decisions and programs that impact their lives will be an invaluable asset to our work moving forward.” 

Paula joined The Mockingbird Society in 2014 as their Youth Network Coordinator before being promoted to Youth Programs Director in 2016. In addition to that role, she also initiated and chaired the agency’s Race Equity Committee. This year, Paula was awarded Mockingbird Society’s ACE award, which celebrates those individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of young people and families.

Before joining Mockingbird, Paula worked at the YMCA of Greater Seattle focusing on youth transitioning out of foster care. With over a decade working in this field, Paula continues to elevate the voices of young people at decision making tables. Paula earned a master’s degree in Teaching from Seattle University, where she was also the first graduate of its Fostering Scholars program.