Nathan Begins a Television Career

Nathan W., a 24-year-old former foster child, worked on "Diagnosis Murder" during the 1999-2000 season. He was placed in the job through an initiative of the Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan Foundation, which helps foster children make the transition to independence. An interview about his experiences appeared in Voice, Casey Family Services newsletter.

Voice (V): What was it like where you lived in L.A.?

Nathan W. (NW): If anyone was visiting, it would be, "Whoa! This is a tough neighborhood." but the good part of it was I knew everybody in that neighborhood.

V: You entered the foster care system when you were about 12, right?

NW: Yes.

V: Did you see it coming?

NW: It happened like the snap of a finger. It was around Christmas. We woke up one day. First all my sisters left, then a month later, my brother and I were sent to my grandmother's.

V: But you still managed to stay in school and go on to college?

NW: Yes, I went to a trade college.

V: As a teenager, you were hired to do peer counseling. What was that like?

NW: Once you get them to smile, then they're pouring out their hearts.

V: What kind of lives do these teens have?

NW: They have very hard backgrounds. They go from foster home to school to foster home. And they never see anything different than that. Then when they go into an environment they're not familiar with, they don't know how to carry themselves. People probably think, "Oh, they're negative" or that something's wrong with them. But it's just that they were never introduced to something new.

V: You got to meet some wonderful people and see some new things through your work with "Diagnosis Murder."

NW: Yes. I feel like a whole new person.

V: What are some of the things you do?

NW: Anytime we get revised scripts, I give them to the actors. I also call out "cuts" and "rolls."

V: What difference do you think the Positive Plan jobs placement program makes for emancipated youth?

NW: You know if every emancipated youth was doing what I'm doing now, it would improve the foster care program.

V: Why?

NW: Because I've noticed in meetings of foster youth that every last one of them wants to do something to give back.