Michigan

Marie Fleming spent 7 years in Michigan's foster care system. After entering into the foster care system at age 15, Marie was placed into a facility for six months until she was finally released into the custody of her grandmother. During her transition from foster care, Marie continued to struggle... Read more

Alex Villarreal spent 6 years in Michigan's foster care system A true leader is often someone who does an incredible amount of work with little to no recognition. Although Alex has had to face the challenges of a learning disability as well as a host of circumstances imposed on him... Read more

Melinda Smith spent 1 year in Michigan's foster care system. Even with having to face the trails of foster care and her illness with lupus, Melinda remains a beacon of positive energy for everyone around her. While Melinda has been quoted as saying, “I can either sit around and be... Read more

Robert Parsons spent 2 years in Michigan's foster care system. There are those that dream and there are those with the tenacity to follow their dreams. Although Robert was only in foster care as an infant before being adopted into a loving family at the age of two, the hardships... Read more

Qunesha Divers spent 2 years in Michigan's foster care system. Qunesha was in foster care for only two years. “Only” was long enough for Qunesha who experienced separation from her little brother which she says was by far the most difficult part of being put into foster care. It wasn’t... Read more

Katelynn Morris spent 4 years in Michigan's foster care system. Katelynn Morris’s biography over the last few years—the amount of placements, the amount of schools, the separation from her siblings—and you might not think she had a lot of time for herself, much less for other people. But her resume... Read more

Kayla Morgan spent 8 years in Michigan's foster care system Kayla’s life and service to the community are driven by a simple but painful reality; as she says it, “I know how it feels to be lost and feel like no one loves you. I want to bring love and... Read more

Antoinette Conway spent over 7 years in Michigan’s foster care system. Antoinette’s life experience personifies the concept of the heroes journey. Having lived within the foster care system for 7 years and endured the loss of many important people in her life to drug overdoses, accidents and incarceration, Antoinette is... Read more

Dameika Merriwether spent 6 years in Michigan's foster care system. Dameika Merriwether is a tribute to the strength and determination of youth in foster care. Since she entered care at the age of 13, she has experienced four foster care home placements, six weeks of homeless couch surfing, seven months... Read more

For Josue, childhood was full of immense challenges. Born in Honduras, adopted at birth, soon after his adoptive family collapsed and he experienced horrible crimes against him and his family as a young boy. At age 14, Josue entered foster care in the U.S. had been placed in five different... Read more