2019 Outstanding Young Leaders

Veronica is an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and also has Jemez and Navajo heritage. She spent time in the New Mexico foster care system before being adopted at 10 years old by two caring parents, along with her younger sister. She graduated from Fort Lewis College... Read more

Odell, Alvin Alexander, 24, New York’s Foster Care System Odell’s contributes his experiences within the foster care system to have prepared him for working with and mentoring other foster youth. “I know how it feels when you are stuck in the situation, may it have been for better or for... Read more

Jarvell Williams, 22, Illinois’s Foster Care System Has been in foster care his entire life. He was born in a prison infirmary. He has experienced many types of out-of-home placements. Once he aged out of the foster care system, he went straight onto college. Throughout Jarvell’s life, he has made... Read more

Anahi Figueroa-Martinez, 19, Pennsylvania's Foster Care System Anahi spent 9 years in foster care and experienced a multitude of placements. Anahi is a big advocate for juvenile justice. She has been a member of the group, Juveniles for Justice through the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia, PA, for the last... Read more

Allyssa 18, Tennessee’s Foster Care System Allyssa's time in care was rocky, with multiple placements in kinship care and congregate care. Alyssa is now adopted and is happy to have found permanence. She is beyond excited to serve on her state youth board and enjoys volunteering at her community Humane... Read more

Taleyha Born, 21, New York’s Foster Care System Taleyha entered foster care at 17. She has experienced 7 different foster homes. Like, many foster youth she could not recall the exact name and address of everyone she lived with. However, she recalled the sadness of leaving and the loss of... Read more

Danielle Berry, 22, California’s Foster Care System Danielle has always been self- determined and thoughtful of others. Growing up, she was determined to teach herself how to read and write through video games, allowing her to escape her daily life and sparking her motivation and hunger to learn. After she... Read more

Miracle Negron, 24, Washington’s Foster Care System Miracle was placed in kinship care at 5, followed by foster care at age 6. She experienced 8 placements, including kinship and adoptive care. She re-entered care at 16 and stayed in extended foster care for a couple of months after her 18th... Read more

Renee Jenkins, 19, New Mexico’s Foster Care System Renee had a rough journey through foster care, she experienced 25+ homes within 6 years. When Renee became involved with leaders Uniting Voices Youth Advocates of New Mexico (LUVYA) in 2016, things started looking up for her. She advocated on behalf of... Read more

Thalia Rose, 24, New York’s Foster Care System Thalia’s experienced seven different foster homes, the most challenging experience she had was believing that she was lovable. Now no longer in foster care, she is still living with, loved, and supported by her former foster mom of 9 years. When Thalia... Read more