2013 Outstanding Young Leaders

Ellen Kimble spent 4 years in Texas' foster care system. Ellen Kimble doesn’t think small. Upon emancipation from foster care at the age of 18, she took off for Buenos Aires, Argentina for a semester on a scholarship sponsored by the Department of State. When she returned she began her... Read more

Hana Kent spent 13 years in Oregon's foster care system. At just seventeen years of age—thirteen of which have been in foster care—Hana Kent has already committed herself to taking an active role in note only her own education, but in the education and betterment of those around her. Though... Read more

Wilton Johnson spent over 5 years in Wisconsin's foster care system. Although he has faced struggles, Wilton Johnson has found incredible strength and compassion, and allowed his experiences to help him serve others. Through engagement and informed advocacy, Wilton focuses on policy areas including foster care, health care, student’s rights,... Read more

Ka'Tina Jackson spent 4 years in California's foster care system. Offering a helping hand often is easier said than done. But for Ka'Tina Jackson of California, providing others with support and collaboration is a daily challenge that she meets as a mother to her baby, a leader at her youth... Read more

Isaiah Roberts spent 10 years in North Carolina's foster care system Isaiah has received principle honors award for straight A's in his freshmen year of high school. He also received the African American Academic Excellence award in his junior year of high school. Isaiah feels that “It is vital that... Read more

Jessica Henderson spent time in Maine's foster care system. Jessica Henderson understands the nuances of being a foster youth with no real background to hold on to. She sees that for many foster youth, an emotional wall is constructed to protect them from the mental trauma that comes with constant... Read more

Council term: 2015-2018 At the age of two, Kaysie was adopted, but at the age of 14, she was separated from her siblings and placed in a foster home. For four years, she bounced around from placement to placement until she landed at Center for Family Services at 18 where... Read more

Conleysha Gaston spent 10 years in California's foster care system Conleysha Gaston is a no-nonsense kind of girl. She's found her calling and, for now, her subject. What she does in her corner of California is talk about sex to many and varied groups around the state. She speaks up... Read more

Ernesto Olivares entered the Texas foster care system at 12 years old with his three siblings. He lost his father months before high school graduation. He went to San Antonio College for four and half years studying Psychology and Sociology. He works full-time and volunteers a lot of time reforming... Read more