Washington

James Sheard

James Sheard was in the foster system in the state of Washington for four years before aging out. While in the system James worked with many organizations including the Mockingbird Society and the Accelerator Y. James has had the opportunity to work with foster families and foster youth to help... Read more

2018 Outstanding Young Leaders

Yeshi Vaughan

Washington

1.5 years in Washington’s Foster Care System Yeshi Vaughan is a 22-year-old from Washington. Her story into foster care begins in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was 14 years old and had been living in an orphanage for about three years when she was adopted by a family from the United... Read more

2018 All-Stars

Jade Tillequots

Washington

Yakama Nation Jade Tillequots was placed in Tribal foster care under the Yakama Nation, a tribe whose reservation is in Washington State. She entered foster care at 4 years old and exited at age 18. Luckily, she only had 2 placements her entire time in care. She was also placed... Read more

Council Member - Current

Sabian Hart-Wall

Washington

Years in care: 5 Sabian's first experience in foster care was in second grade when he was taken out of day-care with his sister. They were placed in a foster home for 4 months then later re-united with their mom. Forward to Sabian's sophomore year in high school, and it... Read more

2017 All-Stars

Jessica Sachara

Washington

Jessica entered the foster care system at age 10 due to her mother’s addiction. Family and sibling separation were very difficult for her. After intense family therapy Jessica was placed back in her mother’s home, but removed again for the same reasons. She eventually went into her grandmother’s care where... Read more

2013 All-Stars

David Inglish

Washington

David entered Washington’s foster care system at age 11 shortly after his brother’s death. It was after suffering from abuse and neglect that David was found and put into foster care in order to have a stable household. Fortunately, he was placed into a great family who ended up becoming... Read more

2013 All-Stars

Ryan Cummings

Washington

Ryan is working on finishing his associate’s degree this year and is hoping to transfer to Seattle University. Since Ryan was eight years old, he has been trying to navigate the foster care system. He overcame adversity being involved with half a dozen placements in different cities all across the... Read more

2014 All-Stars

Merry Ruat

Washington

Merry spent 5 years in Washington's foster care system. A refugee from Chin State, Myanmar, Merry Ruat and her brother came to the United States in 2007 after fleeing religious persecution of their dictatorship government. Without family, relatives, or knowing the language, they moved into their foster parent's home. With... Read more

2017 Outstanding Young Leaders

Azia Ruff

Washington

Azia was in Washington's foster care system for 3 years. After years of parental substance abuse and other challenges, Azia was placed in Washington's foster care system. She entered kinship care with her Aunt, then moved to a group home shortly after, where she'd stay for three years before making... Read more

2017 Outstanding Young Leaders

Jill Nance

Washington

Jill Nance spent less than 1 year in Washington's foster care system. When Jill was age 17, she and her two younger sisters were placed into foster care when the state became aware of their living conditions. They were living in a small trailer with their parents in a wrecking... Read more

2017 Outstanding Young Leaders

Washington

James Sheard

Yeshi Vaughan

Jade Tillequots

Sabian Hart-Wall

Jessica Sachara

David Inglish

Ryan Cummings

Merry Ruat

Azia Ruff

Jill Nance

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