She/Her
4 years in care
Charissa Gibson is a student at Western Michigan University, studying Early Childhood Development. She was in foster care from the age of six and adopted at ten, later returning to the system at sixteen, and has experienced five placements across different states. As the oldest of twelve siblings in the system, Charissa has actively engaged in foster care advocacy, working with the Parkwest Foundation for about three years to change foster care laws and sharing her lived experience at conferences, including a Red Table Talk focused on improving the system. Charissa use to volunteer at New Life Church, providing babysitting services for foster children to give their parents a date night. She has also received a Certificate of Recognition for her work with the Ennis Center's art program for foster youth. Charissa plans to pursue a master's in education and aims to establish art centers worldwide for foster children to thrive creatively and develop healthy mindsets, while continuing her advocacy efforts on a global scale.
