2018 #FosterEquality Spokesperson

David Oyola was in and out of care from age 3 to 24 in Connecticut. He stayed with DCF voluntarily at age 18 with the help of an independent living program, which allowed him to live in his own apartment as long as he attended school full time or worked... Read more

Marcus was raised in care for sixteen and a half years, and eventually went on to emancipate from the system at age 17. After graduating high school, he got my AA degree at College of San Mateo where he took several classes in psychology and social studies. Marcus knew from... Read more

Years in Care: 2 Weston entered the foster care system at age 14 when his biological parents neglected him for identifying as gay. After hospitalizations, shelters and foster home placements, he found his forever family with his two dads and six siblings. Now Weston is a LGBTQ youth advocate for... Read more

Eric Warner grew up in Arkansas and entered their foster care system when he was 8 years old. There were many placements (11 in total) that he was moved to including traditional foster home placements, congregate care facilities, and emergency shelters. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Eric ‘aged out’ of... Read more

Dameon Caldwell, age 24, Ohio's Foster Care System Dameon spent 12 years in foster care in 10+ placements all through Ohio. Currently, the twenty-four-year-old serves as an advocate for the LGBTQ community, foster youth, and domestic violence victims - fighting for those without a voice. Dameon is a graduate with... Read more