Michigan

Kossiwa Kpandja, 24, spent time in Michigan’s foster care system. During her time in care, Kossiwa experienced two different foster homes and one group home. Kossiwa served as vice president of a Youth Advisory Board, in which she was to put discussion topics together and lead group asset trainings. The... Read more

Tiffany Davidson, 20, spent five years in Michigan’s foster care system. Tiffany entered care at 14 and spent the first few years switching between homes. She experienced kinship care and two foster homes. In her senior year of high school, Tiffany received multiple awards. She received the “Homework First” award... Read more

Catherine Szkop 1.5 years in Michigan's Foster Care System She/Her/Hers Catherine originally hails from Michigan where she attended the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) for her Bachelor in Science with a concentration in Evolutionary Anthropology as a Blavin Scholar. She went on to earn her MA in Jewish Studies at... Read more

Brina spent 1 1/2 years in the Michigan Child Welfare system. Brina experienced 3 placements before reunifying with her family. Although her life had been disrupted she has gone on to be a volunteer at Volunteers of America, the Hot Cider Hustle, and a winter 5k, along with various National... Read more

Rachel spent 1 1/2 years in the Michigan Child Welfare system. Her experience in care has inspired her to pursue a career in child welfare. Rachel is the sitting president of the Youth Advisory Board for Our House–a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people transition from foster care to adulthood... Read more

Michael entered care in Michigan at age 11, after a failed adoption. He is still in care, and has experienced both family placements and congregate care. Michael has risen above these obstacles and has joined the high school track and field team, participates in volunteer projects through the Michigan Youth... Read more

Halley Miller, age 19, spent 6 months in Michigan’s Child Welfare system. Halley entered care at 16, where she experienced two foster home placements. The initial home was a terrible experience for her and her siblings - where she questions if they were even certified to be a foster home... Read more

Rebecca Kinard, age 20, spent 2 years in Michigan’s Child Welfare system. Rebecca’s foster care experience was, for the most part, a good experience. She had a loving foster family that made her feel like she was one of their own children. Their love and support helped her engage and... Read more

Heaven Shaman-Page, age 22, spent time in Michigan’s Child Welfare System. Heaven was born in Detroit Michigan, she entered care at the age of one. Heaven bounce from living in Ohio and Michigan through most of her foster care experience. She experiences serval placements within care, a foster home, kinship/relative... Read more

Ana Maria Sanchez-Castillo, 19, Michigan’s Child Welfare system. At the age of two, Ana Maria entered foster care, due to the passing of her mother and father. She experienced 4 different placements, 3 of those placements were relative care. During her placements, there were efforts made to support her and... Read more