2011 Outstanding Young Leaders

Jennifer Nguyen spent 1 year and 9 months in California's Foster Care System. Jennifer was placed into foster care at the age of sixteen; her sophomore year of high school. In less than 2 years in care she experienced six different placements. Jennifer is currently living on her own by... Read more

Jasmine Smith spent 7 years in Pennsylvania's Foster Care System. Former foster child Jasmine Smith has a long and impressive history of academic success. In high school her grades earned her a place in the National Honor Society and National Beta Society. Now she is a junior at Pennsylvania State... Read more

Janine Cave spent 17 years in Missouri's Foster Care System. Janine was in and out of the foster care system starting at age 3. Over the years, Janine was in 5 residential placements, 7 traditional foster home placements, and 1 kinship placement. Janine is now working towards a degree in... Read more

Janie Gonzalez spent 7 years in Texas' Foster Care System. Rated an “outstanding young woman and an outstanding young leader,” her nominator calls Janie Gonzalez “a great role model to her siblings who count on her for advice, suggestions, and as a home base.” Janie is acknowledged as “very caring,”... Read more

James Chitwood spent 8 years in Georgia's Foster Care System. James “Chase” Chitwood of Waleska, Georgia has been “one of Goshen Valley Boys Ranch’s longest and strongest residents. He inspires and encourages the staff and everyone who walks out to our campus” writes his nominator. He is known by others... Read more

James Monroe spent 6 years in California's Foster Care System. James was in the foster care system for about 6 years, between the ages of 12 and 18. His stay in care included 6 different placements; one of them three times. James emancipated at 18 and has been on his... Read more

James Hickson spent 5 years in Massachusetts' Foster Care System. Nineteen year old James Hickson is beating all the odds. James, who spent 5 years in foster care, was the first in his family to graduate high school and this spring will become the first to graduate college. He is... Read more

Ja'nai Spain spent 14 years in California's Foster Care System While Ja’nai Spain suffered the separation from siblings and a constant change of placements while in foster care, through it all she maintained a positive attitude about her experiences. She believes the constant change she endured has made her easily... Read more

Iberia Zafira spent 2 1/2 years in California's Foster Care System. Iberia went into foster care at age 15 due to abuse at home. Although times have been tough due to family and financial instability, she is very thankful for the positive influences and opportunities in her life, especially people... Read more

Heather Wilder chooses to consider being a motivational speaker, a talent agent, and/or work with disadvataged youth and disabled children. Now a junior in high school, she to some degree has already moved into the motivational arena. She says, “Kids get all dressed up and are just waiting for their... Read more