Illiniois

Winther Polk 5+ years in Foster Care 25 years old She/her/hers Winther Polk earned a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia College as a first generation college graduate in 2020. She plans to return to school to obtain a Master’s degree in Library Applied Science or Information Science, with the hope of... Read more

Joshua Beauchamp He/Him/His 20 Years Old Illinois Foster Care System Joshua is now attending Elmhurst University as a Junior, double majoring in Political Science and History. He works to advocate for the community because he feels it’s important to make an impact and have your voice be heard. Joshua successfully... Read more

Kimberly Wilborn 5 years in Illinois Foster Care System 19 years old She/her/hers Kimberly is currently a student at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. One thing that motivates her passion for being an advocate in her community is her desire to see others be changed. Kimberly's hope is for... Read more

Jarvell Williams, 22, Illinois’s Foster Care System Has been in foster care his entire life. He was born in a prison infirmary. He has experienced many types of out-of-home placements. Once he aged out of the foster care system, he went straight onto college. Throughout Jarvell’s life, he has made... Read more

La’Rie Suttle, 23, spent about two years in the Illinois foster care system. La’Rie entered care at eight months old. Two years later she was adopted by her relatives. La’Rie has served her community and been honored for doing so multiple times. To start, DCFS granted La’Rie a Scholarship in... Read more

Gabriel Guzman, 21, spent three years in the Illinois Child Welfare system. Gabriel began his journey in foster care with his sibling going through nine different foster homes. Adopted at age five and has been with his same family ever since. In high school, Gabriel was captain of the football... Read more

Ciera Dantzler, 23, spent 18 years in Illinois’ Child Welfare system. Ciera experienced two different placements, but both were kinship homes, with the second one having legal guardianship until she aged out of care. Ciera has earned a plethora of awards. Starting in August 2012, she had earned the Rowe... Read more

Paige entered the Illinois child welfare system when she was in the 6th grade. Page describes her experience in foster care as “crazy”. She “moved every year since 6th grade” with multiple failed attempts at reunification. Giving back and helping youth in trouble is important to Paige. She volunteers at... Read more

Keidarryl Watson entered the Illinois foster care system at birth and experienced nine placements. While in high school Keidarryl excelled academically and was named to the honor roll. He subsequently made the Dean’s List in college. Currently enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and majoring in Political Science, Keidarryl is... Read more

16 years in Illinois Foster Care System Kyle Johnson is our All-Star from Chicago, IL. Kyle spent 16 years in the foster care system. He entered into care as a newborn and was later adopted at the age of two. He experienced two foster home placements, unfortunately, being separated from... Read more