Jasmine Millwood

Jasmine Millwood “does not let her past define her, and works tirelessly every day to make a difference in the lives of the children that need it the most,” says her nominator. Her story involves 36 different foster care placements, overcoming an experience of sexual abuse, degrees of starvation, beatings, and neglect for two years running. Placed back into foster care at age 10, she was adopted at age 12 by her biological uncle. Now a college graduate and author, Jasmine chooses to advocate against child abuse and for improvement of the nation’s foster care systems through her book, Unbreakable. She works as a volunteer for St. Clair County Child Abuse and Neglect Council, Orchards Children’s Services, the Diabetes Care Educational Association, and the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association among others. She claims as her mission: “to serve and protect innocent and vulnerable children everywhere.” She says, “I believe it is important that young people in foster care have the opportunity to speak up about the foster care system and its flaws. Young people in foster care have the opportunity to give explicit suggestions on how to improve the system.” Most recently, Jasmine was hired as Executive Director of a local non-profit called Lighthouse Family Connections that serves to bring awareness about child abuse & neglect and provides prevention services in the community. Jasmine’s nominator writes, “Jasmine is an incredibly beautiful, smart, fun-loving and kind-hearted woman. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her as we spread word about her book, Unbreakable. Jasmine has also been a contestant in Miss Michigan/USA pageants.