Image
Tianna Christie, 20, New York’s Foster Care System
Tianna started her path in advocacy by sharing her foster care story with other foster youth in her community. She will always remember after sharing her story for the first time, a foster youth came up to her and told her that her story inspired her to fight through her problems because she wants to say she came out of her situation stronger than she went in. Ever since Tianna has been trying to help kids in the foster care system. “I believe I can help them focus on how rewarding it will be to get out of a troubling situation and on to the rest of their lives because whatever brought them into foster care is just a chapter in their story, not the end of it.”
Tianna enjoys leadership roles and volunteering in her community. In high school, she was the captain of the stunt team, where she learned some essential leadership qualities. Her team became her family forged through tough lessons and having little guidance. She was also a member of a volunteer program called New York Cares. New York Cares is a program that allows students to become connected to their community and give help to those in need. Her most memorable trip with New York Cares was when she visited a food and health shelter for people with HIV or AIDS. This experience was impactful because it made her appreciate life and gave her compassion towards people in need.
“Being on a team taught me that I can be strong and courageous in the face of any obstacle that may come my way in the future.”