New York

Johnoi Shaw is a Jamaican National that came here in his early teens and ended up in care. He obtained his Bachelor’s of Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience and aspires to get a degree in nursing. After experiencing and witnessing discrimination because his of sexual orientation, he decided to... Read more

Jonathan DeJesus 8 years in New York’s Foster Care System 20 years old He/Him/His Jonathan is from NYC but was born and raised in Ecuador for half of his life. His dream job is to become a public speaker and advocate for youth around the world. His life experience motivates... Read more

Grace Gold 2+ years in New York’s Foster Care System 19 years old She/her/hers Grace is currently in foster care. She grew up in many little villages and is currently studying at Alfred University. At College Grace found herself becoming more interested in being a leader, being more involved with... Read more

Odell, Alvin Alexander, 24, New York’s Foster Care System Odell’s contributes his experiences within the foster care system to have prepared him for working with and mentoring other foster youth. “I know how it feels when you are stuck in the situation, may it have been for better or for... Read more

Taleyha Born, 21, New York’s Foster Care System Taleyha entered foster care at 17. She has experienced 7 different foster homes. Like, many foster youth she could not recall the exact name and address of everyone she lived with. However, she recalled the sadness of leaving and the loss of... Read more

Thalia Rose, 24, New York’s Foster Care System Thalia’s experienced seven different foster homes, the most challenging experience she had was believing that she was lovable. Now no longer in foster care, she is still living with, loved, and supported by her former foster mom of 9 years. When Thalia... Read more

Tianna Christie, 20, New York’s Foster Care System Tianna started her path in advocacy by sharing her foster care story with other foster youth in her community. She will always remember after sharing her story for the first time, a foster youth came up to her and told her that... Read more

10 years in New York’s foster care system. 20 years old She/Her/Hers Marie entered care the year of 2009, she lived in four different foster homes. Due to the law change allowing foster youth to opt-in care till the age of 21, Marie will be in foster care till the... Read more

9+ years in New York's child welfare system 19 years old They/Them/Theirs Rori Matthews is a bigender foster youth who entered foster care at 10 years old. They were placed in a relative-foster home with their paternal grandparents and are expected to remain in care until they are 21 years... Read more

7 years in New York’s Foster Care System Joseph DeBiew grew up in Buffalo, New York. In 2005, he lost his mother and was put in the care of his grandparents. After struggling with addiction, Joe was put into a residential treatment facility and then bounced in between group homes... Read more