Who We Are

Olivia Snoke grew up going in and out of foster care in multiple states. By the age of 15, both parents' rights had been terminated, and she was too old to be adopted. She began learning Independent Living Skills in preparation for aging out of foster care. She discovered her passion for helping others in foster care and dreamed of making a career of it. After earning her degree, she applied for a position at the very agency that helped her become a college graduate, but found that her lived experience hindered her career choice. 

Determined to be there for those who come after her, she became a foster mother and was honored to adopt two teens. 

Olivia persistently pursued a career working with youth aging out of foster care. Eventually, the nation changed to see lived experience as an asset, and she began her dream career in South Dakota. Her passion led her work and the youth through hard times, including the pandemic. 

Life led Olivia to the Commonwealth of Virginia and a position teaching youth from foster care learning independent living skills. However, her passion and experience compelled her to do more than teach classes. She started Emerging Phoenix fill gaps, support youth, and LDSS offices in addition to enacting improvements for the foster care system.