2019 Outstanding Young Leaders

Rachel spent 1 1/2 years in the Michigan Child Welfare system. Her experience in care has inspired her to pursue a career in child welfare. Rachel is the sitting president of the Youth Advisory Board for Our House–a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people transition from foster care to adulthood... Read more

Michael entered care in Michigan at age 11, after a failed adoption. He is still in care, and has experienced both family placements and congregate care. Michael has risen above these obstacles and has joined the high school track and field team, participates in volunteer projects through the Michigan Youth... Read more

Dion Stump, 18, Montana’s Foster Care System Dion experienced 3 kinship/relative placements that did not work out. The system found an alternative placement at a group home and she stayed there for almost 2 years. During her senior year, she graduated a semester early. During her transition, she received resource... Read more

Reagan Dodson has been in care for 2 years in Tennessee’s Child Welfare system. Reagan describes being separated from her mom shortly after moving to Tennessee as “heartbreaking”. In spite of placements that were sometimes hard and sometimes helpful, she is proud of having graduated from high school with a... Read more

Ivy-Marie was 7 when she entered the Texas Child Welfare system. Ivy-Marie states she is grateful to have only experienced one placement. Ivy-Marie completed a Foster Youth Internship with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and advocated in Washington D.C. for legislation pertaining to all current and former foster... Read more

Zachary entered care at age 12 Zachary states that he has “experienced every facet of foster care.” His volunteer service has included working on youth boards, participating in Shadow Day, caring for abandoned and homeless dogs, and environmental cleanup projects. He has also been recognized as a 0Youth Villages Scholar... Read more

Emmanuel experienced foster care in Utah Emmanuel experienced 3 placements and homelessness before finding loving permanence with his current foster family. He has been the Vice President of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter at his school. He is committed to supporting other youth in care and is developing... Read more

Tasheona spent 2+ years in the State of Missouri’s foster care system. Tasheona was placed in care with her older brother when she was 16 years old, and remained with him until she began college. In school, she was part of Career Community Leaders of America (CCLA) and volunteered by... Read more

Kailah Williams, 21, Florida’s Child Welfare system. Kailah experienced moving from group home to group home. This took a lot of time to get used to but she is grateful for the experience as it helped her understand different personality types and build relationships with the girls from all different... Read more

Joey Yee, 19, spent 3 months in California’s Child Welfare system. Joey entered care at 15 years old because of his parents’ inability to provide proper care at that time. Being placed in care for a total of three months and then reunited with his biological family. During his time... Read more