Minnesota

Tonya Bauer spent 18 years in Minnesota’s foster care system. Entering foster care once is a traumatic experience - imagine entering the foster care system twice, as Tonya did. Although she was faced with many challenges, Tonya has made the decisions in life to be a successful youth and never... Read more

Wilner Twedt spent 5 years in Minnesota's Foster Care System Wilner Twedt serves as a leader in his community in many areas despite still being in high school. He currently serves as editor and writer for his school paper and yearbook, and is involved in football and baseball where he... Read more

Liz Kulp spent 14 months in Minnesota's Foster Care System. Like many young people that enter to foster care system at birth (and about 1% of all children^), Liz was born with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). FASD describes a class of permanent birth defects caused by maternal consumption... Read more

Christina Dumais spent 5 years in Minnesota's Foster Care System Eighteen-year-old Christina Dumais is still in high school, but possess the determination of someone much older. Christina serves meals to seniors three days a week and is a member of the Student Council at her High School. Even though she... Read more

Cory Boldon spent 3 years in Minnesota's Foster Care System. When Cory was placed with the Boldon family at age 11, it was her seventh placement—this included two failed adoptions and the threat that if she “failed” in her adoption with the Boldons, she would be sent to a home... Read more

Kayla VanDyke spent 9 years in Minnesota's foster care system. Kayla entered into foster care when she was four years old. She went back to live with her birth family three years later before reentering care at age thirteen. Kayla has lived in seven different foster homes and attended ten... Read more

After entering foster care at age 14, Jennifer was moved to several different placements, eventually becoming separated from both of her siblings. She says, "The most difficult challenge I faced upon being put in foster care would have to be sibling separation. I didn't always get along with my siblings,... Read more

Crystal has had extensive experience within the foster care system. Separated from her siblings and parents when she was 12, Crystal bounced from home to home due to complications with foster families. During the course of 7 years, she was in 20 different foster homes. Crystal has been a part... Read more

Mariah Saint Augustine spent 12 years in Minnesota's foster care system. Mariah entered foster care at age 5 due to her mother's substance abuse. She had 2 different foster placements by age 15. With the support of her last foster family, Mariah recently graduated from the University of Minnesota. After... Read more

At the age of 13 Aarieon was placed in a group home. At the age of 15 he was moved into a placement that was closer to his home county, and has been moved once after to another foster home. "I have had the opportunity to meet some exceptional, hard... Read more