Meet the Founder

David Shields, Founder and Executive Director of Beloved Youth Services (BYS), is a passionate advocate and dedicated professional committed to transforming the lives of youth impacted by trauma, foster care, and systemic inequality. With a B.S. in Human Services, David combines his extensive academic background with a wealth of hands-on experience to lead BYS in creating meaningful and lasting change for youth.

David’s personal journey through the foster care system has shaped his understanding of the struggles faced by youth in care. Having experienced firsthand the emotional, mental, and social challenges that come with being placed in foster homes and group settings, David understands the complexity of the needs these youth face. His experiences have fueled a deep commitment to ensuring that youth in the system receive the care and support they deserve, and that they have the opportunity to heal, grow, and build successful futures.

With over 13 years of experience in direct care roles, David has worked in some of the most challenging settings, including residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, and community-based programs. Through these roles, he has built a strong foundation of practical skills and insights into how to best serve youth affected by trauma. He has worked closely with youth who have experienced neglect, abuse, and instability, always striving to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for each individual.

One of David’s core beliefs is that the system must change to better support both the youth in care and the professionals who work with them. He has seen how direct care workers are often undervalued and overworked, despite being the most consistent support for youth. As a result, David has made it a priority to create a workplace culture at BYS that values, compensates, and supports direct care professionals. By offering competitive pay and ensuring that staff feel appreciated and empowered, he believes that youth will receive the best possible care and attention, which will improve their outcomes in the long run.

David’s commitment to systemic change doesn’t stop with the youth he serves. He is also an advocate for broader policy reforms to improve the foster care system, including advocating for better training, resources, and support for foster parents and caseworkers. His vision is to create an ecosystem where all young people who have experienced trauma, including those aging out of foster care, are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in adulthood.

David is currently pursuing his dual Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) degrees, a combination that will directly benefit BYS and the youth we serve. The MSW will deepen his expertise in clinical social work, enabling him to implement the best practices in trauma-informed care, mental health support, and crisis intervention for youth. His focus on trauma and resilience will ensure that BYS remains at the forefront of providing the most effective and compassionate care for those who have been affected by adversity.

At the same time, the MPA will equip David with the knowledge and skills to lead BYS as a socially responsible and well-organized agency. This degree will provide him with the tools to effectively manage operations, advocate for policy change, and secure funding to sustain and grow the agency. David’s understanding of public administration will allow him to navigate complex systems, build strategic partnerships, and influence the policies that affect youth in care, ensuring that BYS not only provides direct support to youth but also works to change the larger structures that impact them.

By combining the clinical focus of an MSW with the strategic and organizational expertise of an MPA, along with over 13 years of hands-on experience in the field, David is poised to build a robust, dynamic, and impactful organization that will transform the lives of youth in care. His extensive background in direct care and advocacy, paired with his academic credentials, uniquely position him to lead BYS with both practical insights and forward-thinking strategies. David’s years of experience working in therapeutic environments, navigating the complexities of the foster care system, and advocating for systemic change provide him with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by youth and the professionals who serve them.

His goal is to create a model for supporting youth that not only addresses immediate needs but also advocates for long-term systemic change, ensuring that future generations of youth have access to the resources and care they deserve. With a blend of education and experience, David is well-equipped to lead BYS toward becoming a national model for youth services, offering a comprehensive approach to healing, empowerment, and policy transformation.

Through BYS, David is not just striving to make a difference in the lives of youth; he is working to build a community where all individuals—youth, families, caregivers, and professionals—can thrive together. His work is grounded in the belief that every youth deserves to be seen, heard, and supported on their journey toward independence and success.