2019 Outstanding Young Leaders

Raven spent 13 years in Oregon’s foster care system. Her experience in care was difficult. She moved 19 times, with periods of homelessness in between some later placements. She reports many losses during these years. Raven has worked with Oregon Foster Youth Connection since 2014, She is especially proud of... Read more

Halley Miller, age 19, spent 6 months in Michigan’s Child Welfare system. Halley entered care at 16, where she experienced two foster home placements. The initial home was a terrible experience for her and her siblings - where she questions if they were even certified to be a foster home... Read more

Samantha Dillon, age 19, spent 3 years in Ohio’s Child Welfare system. Samantha had a total of 6 placements. She is a proud high school graduate and is working with the Ohio youth advisory board serving as the vice president. In her free time, she loves to play instruments and... Read more

Aaron Boswell, age 25, spent 4 1/2 years in New Mexico’s Child Welfare System. Aaron is from a small town in New Mexico, where he was raised by his father. He was placed in foster care twice in his life. During most of Aaron’s life drug use, domestic violence, and... Read more

Jordan Delutis, 18 years old, spent 10 years in the State of Georgia’s foster care system. Jordan has been in and out of care since 2008 and has experienced around 12 different placements. After experiencing depression while being in care, Jordan was placed back with his two brothers, which helped... Read more

Elisabeth Burke has spent 7 years in foster care in New Jersey and 2 years in Tennessee. She is currently in extended care. Elisabeth experienced multiple placements in two states. She credits some families she stayed with as helping her to build appropriate relationships. Placement in extended care is helping... Read more

Anthony spent 17 years in the State of Oklahoma foster care system. Anthony describes his years in care as both “good and bad”, but he made it through school and is now a Junior in college. He explains that even though it was hard, he is happy with how his... Read more

Kassidy Geehan, age 19, spent 2 years in Montana’s Child Welfare system until she aged out. Kassidy was thankful enough to be placed in only one placement where she had a good experience, however, she did experience lots of travel from town to town in order to complete her education... Read more

Keyara Hargrove, age 18, spent time in Montanna’s Child Welfare system. Keyara first entered foster care at 6 years old. She had 6 foster placements, all of which she didn’t have a good experience. Her time in foster care she endured many challenges, some of which were a failed adoption... Read more

Kayla Eckerman, 24 years old, spent 9 years in the State of Iowa’s Child Welfare system. Kayla entered foster care at 2 years old and again at age 14. During her time in care, she experienced kinship care, foster homes, adoption, and residential & shelter placements. Despite attending eight different... Read more