2014 Outstanding Young Leaders

Daisy Henson spent 10 years in Oklahoma's foster care system. Daisy Henson knows the value of an interactive and cooperative community, a place where the young see a potential for enrichment and then work hard towards it. During her time at Relations Group Home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she volunteered at... Read more

Raven Profit spent time in New York's foster care system. Raven Profit entered the system after her mom was diagnosed with a mental illness. Like many youth who enter the system she had to learn, independently, how to not let her personal issues get in the way of her goals,... Read more

Robert "Pono" Heanu-Toyama spent 8 years in Hawaii's foster care system. The tropical archipelago of Hawaii is a paradise to some, but not all. Robert “Pono” Heanu-Toyama knows. Having been in and out of foster care since he was 7 years old, Pono has been subjected to all the horrors... Read more

Nathan Hawkins spent 4 years in North Dakota's foster care system. Passion and determination are beginning to shape the life of Nathan Hawkins, who until last spring was living in the youth foster system in eastern Tennessee. He has chosen to continue living in the Extension of Foster Care services... Read more

Tracy Powers spent 2 years in Massachusetts's foster care system. Tracey was placed in care at 13 when her family filed a CHINS (Child in need of services) petition because of her mental health issues. “My family and I did not intend to walk out of the courtroom separated but... Read more

Otto Phillips spent 13 years in Florida's foster care system. Otto came into care at age five when the state took him and his 3 sisters from his mom and abusive boyfriend. They were placed with their grandmother for 10 years until she passed away. “It was the worst time... Read more

Silvia Yamileth Garcia Murcia spent over 3 years in Virginia's foster care system. Silvia Yamileth Garcia Murcia has overcome obstacles which could fill a book - which she will write herself someday. Right now she's enrolled at the John Tyler Community College pursuing a nursing degree. Her final goal is... Read more

Takeina Fowler spent over 8 years in Texas' foster care system. Takeina Fowler believes that young people in foster care can contribute a lot to improve the system. She's convinced it's really important because some children and youth have had very hard times in foster care and no other youths... Read more

Qunesha Divers spent 2 years in Michigan's foster care system. Qunesha was in foster care for only two years. “Only” was long enough for Qunesha who experienced separation from her little brother which she says was by far the most difficult part of being put into foster care. It wasn’t... Read more

Marissa Dawson spent 8 years in Pennsylvania's foster care system. Marissa Dawson has been in foster care for eight years and is in her fourth foster care placement. It’s a loving home, a place that fills her with the confidence to be herself and follow her dreams. But her journey... Read more