Indiana

Vita Short 8 years in Indiana’s Foster Care System 20 years old She/Her/Hers Vita experienced eight years in the foster care system. One thing she would like people to know about the foster care experience is that the system lacks support and resources for older youth that are aging out... Read more

Justin Hayden 5 years in Indiana’s Foster Care System 20 years old He/Him/His Justin experienced five years in the foster care system. He is from Northwest Indiana and is currently a student at Purdue University Northwest. He is a communication major with a focus in public relations and a minor... Read more

Rimy Morris, 21, Indiana’s Foster Care System Rimy entered foster care when she was in 5th grade. She experienced multiple placements during her time in foster care and described feeling “so unwanted” and “bitter towards the world”. Her junior year, she became involved in sports, joined the student council, and... Read more

Jada entered the Indiana Child Welfare system when she was 16. Jada describes her experience in foster care as “crazy”! She “moved every year since 10th grade” because of multiple failed attempts at reunification. Jada began volunteering in high school to support other youth and bring youth voice to Indiana’s... Read more

Rimy Morris 10 years in Indiana’s foster care system 23 years old She/Her/Hers Rimy entered foster care in October 2010. She lived in 5 different foster homes, 2 groups homes and 2 residential treatment facilities. Rimy aged out of care in January 2019. Rimy is an active leader in Indiana’s... Read more

Makayla Waughop was placed in the Indiana foster care system in 2012. During Makayla’s time in foster care she went through five or six different homes before finding a permanent home. While in these home she discovered so many thing about how the real world works. Makayla was able to... Read more

Brittany Paige Mihalec-Adkins was in congregate and foster care in Indiana through middle and high school, before heading to college at 17. Brittany is now a PhD student in Human Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. Prior to beginning her PhD work, Brittany completed her Master’s in Educational Psychology... Read more

Joshua spent 18 years in the State of Indiana’s foster care system. Joshua is someone who helps others without giving it a second thought because everyone deserves a chance. He is very ambitious, strong willed and always ready to stand up for what he believes in his heart to be... Read more

Mercedes Wooten, 21, Indiana, spent 5 years in foster care in many different placements. She is the youngest of five siblings. She previously interned at the Wilkie Farr & Gallagher (LLP) Law firm. Currently, she attends college in Indiana and majors in Political Science with hopes to become a lawyer... Read more