2018 Outstanding Young Leaders

Latreace Ward has been in the foster care system in the state of Missouri since the age of five. Latreace and her brother were taken care of by a family friend who later received power of attorney. Currently in a Transitional Living Program where she was able to get support... Read more

Trent Taylor entered the foster care system in North Carolina at the age of 4. After 5 different placements he was adopted at the age of 9. Trent co-authored “Shattered No More,” the story of his journey from trauma to triumph and speaks often about his experiences in an effort... Read more

Noah Patnaude has been in foster care for seven years now in the state of Maine. Noah experienced 7 different foster homes. Noah lived with religious, non-religious families, lived with a LGBTQ+ family where there was two mothers, and two different group homes. During the last seven years Noah has... Read more

Hillary of Utah was placed in the foster care system at the age of 13. Hillary’s time in care included moving between foster homes, the Girls Group Home shelter, and with teachers during her last year of high school. With strong perseverance and dedication, Hillary was able to continue her... Read more

Rachel Muir entered care in New York’s child welfare system at 13 years of age. Through her time in the system, she underwent various challenging changes and experiences. Rachel currently attends Northwestern University where she studies Social Policy and Statistics. With her intense passion and dedication to helping underprivileged and... Read more

Miranda Martinez experienced over thirty foster homes, two group homes, and juvenile hall ranging from the central valley and as far north of California, all while placed in California’s foster system. Despite having a kidney disease, Miranda is active in her community. She currently sits on two different Juvenile Justice... Read more

Milading Maihemuti has been in the foster care system for two years and has been in two placements in the state of Virginia. He is currently a junior in high school and is involved in many organizations in and out of school. He is part of the Legion of Mary... Read more

Over twelve years in foster care, Nathanuel Farnham experienced 28 different placements. Nathanuel has served as a volunteer Firefighter and participated on his high school’s Skills USA Team. He is also a youth leader consultant with Vermont's Youth Advocacy Board. To help foster youth in his community, Nathanuel volunteers at... Read more

Zuleika Dixon spent two years in the California foster care system. While in the foster care system, she worked with FosterClub as a youth ambassador in 2016 where she advocated for the issues youth face in the system. Zulekia enjoys reading, hiking and cooking. Zuleika received her associates degree in... Read more

Schuyler Davis spent 14 years in the Oregon foster care system, experiencing 40 different placements and homes. After aging out age 21, Schuyler started “Project Foster Kids USA”, an organization that raises awareness and donations for youth in the system who experienced abuse or neglect. Currently his organization operates in... Read more