2017 Outstanding Young Leaders

Katlyn Taylor spent 2.5 years in Michigan's foster care system. Katlyn entered care at 12 years old and was adopted by her aunt at the age of 15. She did not let her upsetting experiences or her parent's actions define her. In high school, she participated in Cheer year round... Read more

Dashley Barnes spent 5 years in Missouri's foster care system, Dashley was placed into care at the age of 14. While in foster care, she experienced separation from her siblings, a kinship placement, a group home and a foster home. She was placed with an amazing woman who helped turn... Read more

Christine spent 6 years in Texas's foster care system Christina Tyler entered foster care with her siblings shortly after her family faced unstable housing, and remained in the system until she aged out at eighteen years old. While in foster care, she moved to six different foster homes because of... Read more

Kristopher Wannquist spent 7 years in Washington's foster care system. Kristopher has experienced things no child should be exposed to but has strived to prove his intelligence. He entered foster care at age 14 and despite challenges, found foster parents who he considers mom and dad today. After he turned... Read more

Cole spent 3 years in Ohio's foster care system Before being adopted into his forever family, Cole experienced 3 different foster homes. He was seperated from from some of his siblings in the process. Now, Cole has a beautiful biracial family of 15 siblings that have been adopted internationally. In... Read more

Garrett Hoppe spent 3 years in Oregon's foster care system Due to his biological mother's mistakes, Garrett Hoppe entered the foster care system at the age of fifteen. Spending three years in the system, he experienced three placements including foster homes and kinship care. Garrett was unable to maintain family... Read more

Johnoi Shaw spent 5 years in New York's foster care system. Johnoi Shaw is a young, intelligent individual who is very passionate about issues that are affecting young people in foster care. He is interested in sharing his experience to improve the life of other foster children. Johnoi reflects that... Read more

Oluwatobi spent 1 years in Minnesota's foster care system. Born in Nigeria, Oluwatobi Oluwagbemi spent one year in foster care before she was adopted. Even though her past was filled with pain, trauma and bullying, she chooses to focus on the future by setting goals. Oluwatobi does not let the... Read more

Carlie Patrick spent 13 years in Texas's foster care system, she entered foster care at a very young age and experienced fifteen placements, ranging from foster homes to group homes. She was placed on medications and in residential treatment programs due to her mental health struggles, and she believes that... Read more

Jameshia Shepherd 5 years in Michigan's foster care system The difficulties Jameshia has overcome created the passion and motivation for her to serve and protect others, especially children. She understand what it is like to feel helpless, and to feel like you don't have a voice to speak for yourself... Read more