We are very excited and proud to share FosterClub Young Leader, Brittney Barros, is a recipient of Disney's 2019 Heroes For Change Award! This award is for young people who are making a difference in the world with charitable work. The award was presented to Brittney at the 2019 ARDYs - A Radio Disney Music Celebration on June 16th, 2019. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Brittney shares, "This has been a complete honor and dream for me. It's every young girl's pipe dream to be on the Disney Channel - and now that dream is becoming a reality for me. I'm so thankful that Disney Channel has given me a National platform to share my voice for the 400,000 youth in foster care."
 
 Brittney entered foster care in Michigan for the first time when she was 11-years-old. She was separated from her siblings and sadly took many years before they were reunited - only to be separated once again. They were finally able to reunite just last year. Now Brittney has custody of her younger sister and plans to be the best role model she can be. 
 
 Brittney is a loyal and committed advocate for sibling rights in foster care and had been working at the state and federal level to improve child welfare policies to ensure other youth and siblings don't have to experience what she went through. She hopes to ensure all siblings have the right to live together, have frequent contact, and visitations - in all 50 states! 
 
 Brittney joined FosterClub in 2016 as an All-Star and has continued to work with FosterClub in many capacities over the years as a member of the National Foster Youth and Alumni Policy Council and currently serving as the 2019 FosterClub Policy Support Intern. Her work includes preparations and logistics for policy briefings and meetings in Washington D.C., leading the efforts of our most current webinar: What is AFCARS Anyways?!, and supporting the 2019 FosterClub All-Stars.
 
 Earlier this year Brittney received the 2019 Casey Excellence for Children Award. This award recognizes outstanding individuals and communities for their distinguished work, exceptional leadership, and tireless dedication to improving the lives of children and families in America. "The winners of these awards are making the world a better place for children and families," said Davis C. Mills, chair of the Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs.
 
 Back home in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Brittney works as a peer outreach worker for Ozone House, recruiting more than 2,000 youth to emergency shelters, therapy, and life skills groups - she's also helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for youth homeless programs. Brittney is a senior at Eastern Michigan University, studying social work and music therapy. Brittney plans to receive a dual master’s degree in social work and public policy from the University of Michigan. Her long-term goals include becoming a foster care worker and parent, as well as run for Congress. 
 
 Learn more about Brittney!