Council Member - Current

Ke'Onda spent 19 years in Florida's foster care system - including time in extended care. During that time, she experienced over 20 different placements in group homes. Currently, Ke'Onda is studying political science and working at United Way in an AmeriCorps Vista position where she supports financial literacy for young... Read more

Born and raised in New Jersey, Stephanie has always had a passion for creating change and giving back to her community. Currently enrolled at Rutgers University, Stephanie hopes to become a professional in the field of civil rights. Her passions include advocacy for youth in foster care, disability rights, accessibility... Read more

Recognized as an Outstanding Young Leader by Foster Club in 2019, Courtney has utilized her unique lived experience in Washington State’s foster care to make a positive impact on the system she and her sibling were forced to navigate. She has spent time in employment roles as a Case Manager... Read more

Brittney Lee experienced 17 foster homes in the span of 17 years of her childhood. Brittney’s current aspiration is to utilize her growth and knowledge gained from resilience, community involvement and employment opportunities with youth who have experienced foster care. She consistently involves herself in community conversations on child welfare... Read more

Brittany Paige Mihalec-Adkins was in congregate and foster care in Indiana through middle and high school, before heading to college at 17. Brittany is now a PhD student in Human Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. Prior to beginning her PhD work, Brittany completed her Master’s in Educational Psychology... Read more

Joshua spent 18 years in the State of Indiana’s foster care system. Joshua is someone who helps others without giving it a second thought because everyone deserves a chance. He is very ambitious, strong willed and always ready to stand up for what he believes in his heart to be... Read more

Michael Teresa Mellifera is an undergraduate junior currently studying at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She is majoring in Philosophy and double minoring in Theology and Islamic World Studies. Ms. Mellifera’s studies so far have largely focused on the languages, literatures, philosophies, and intellectual histories of Christianity... Read more

Katarina Kabick is a former foster youth who is dedicated to building a better future for kids still in the system. In 2016, she graduated from Mills College with a double major in History and Urban Education. At Mills, she worked to develop a foster youth community on campus. She... Read more

Yakama Nation Jade Tillequots was placed in Tribal foster care under the Yakama Nation, a tribe whose reservation is in Washington State. She entered foster care at 4 years old and exited at age 18. Luckily, she only had 2 placements her entire time in care. She was also placed... Read more

Antoinette Rucker serves as one of the Education Youth and Family Coordinators with the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children out of Atlanta. A proud graduate of Albany State University, Antoinette studied generalist Social Work and founded a comprehensive support program for foster youth called Fostering through College (FTC). In addition to... Read more