David Gagne

There are thousands of children who sleep on the floor, not because they want to, but because they have no place else to sleep. This is how David Gagne felt before he was adopted. Now he’s speaking out for children who can’t speak for themselves, whether it be because they are impoverished or simply afraid to take a stand against the injustice present in their lives.

As a child, David found himself lost in the adoption system. He was angry at the world and he struggled with his own self-esteem and trust issues. He lacked permanacy since his fifth birthday when he was taken away from his parents and siblings. After five years in foster-care, he was adopted and his life changed for the better. He finally had someone to protect him, advocate for his right and guide him through his responsibilities.

Now, David speaks out for disadvantaged youth who don’t have their own voice. Last summer, he interned at the Broward Public Defenders and attended two major conferences: the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. and The Lawton Chiles Foundation – Worst to First Conference in Orlando, Fl. The Guardian at Litem Program, which is a partnership of community advocates and professional staff providing a powerful voice on behalf of Florida’s abused and neglected children has asked for David to be a spokesperson and help with their training. He is also a member of the Youth Advocacy Committee, a group of former and current foster-care youth who advocate for the wants and needs of children in foster-care programs.

David hasn’t fortten the tragedy that was his life before he was adopted and refuses to sit by and watch other children suffer as he did. It is because of his courage, strength and selfless devotion to struggling youth that he is a Daily Point of Light.