Washington

Samuel Martin spent 18 years in Washington's foster care system. Mr. Martin primarily grew up in kinship care. He has been an advocate for youth in foster care at both the local and national level for many years, participating as a Chapter Leader with the Mockingbird Society to advocate for... Read more

Jeanette Lamont spent 4 years in Washington's foster care system While in high school, Jeanette made the academic honor roll, received the Governor’s Scholarship for Foster Youth, Passport Scholarship, Educational Training Voucher, as well as a Pell Grant. Also in high school, she was elected vice president of the Lynnwood... Read more

If you ask 20-year-old Bryttani Giles what she wants to do with her life, she’ll tell you: “I want to do whatever it takes to help people.” A junior with a full ride at Northwest University, Bryttani is majoring in Communication with a concentration in Media Studies and is currently... Read more

Ian spent 3 years in Washington's Foster Care System. A witty writer, engaging public speaker, and college freshman, Ian is earning quite an outstanding reputation for the work he does on behalf of youth in foster care. Ian respects the impact being in foster care has had on him, and... Read more

Janell Braxton spent 3 years in Washington's Foster Care System. Janell is a young woman who embodies all it means to be a driven individual. She has spent most of her teenage life in the foster care system and experiencing multiple placements and sibling separation. All the while, Janell has... Read more

Dhieu Chol Arok spent 3 years in Washington's foster care system. Dhieu is ambitious, a self-motivator, a visionary, and a foster kid.Dhieu moved to the U.S. in 2001 from southern Sudan due to the civil war. He was later placed into foster care at the age of 15 and then... Read more

Angelene entered the foster care system at the age of eight. At that time she was lucky enough to stay with her aunt, which unfortunately ended when she was fourteen. She then bounced around to foster homes and her schoolwork was negatively affected. Luckily she was able to make up... Read more