Crystal’s success is a testimony to what hard work and persistence can do. Crystal has already received a college diploma, a milestone that a very small fraction of foster youth attain, but her long-term goals are just beginning. Crystal plans to run her own foster care agency that emphasizes the importance of secondary education, and also expresses an interest in politics. Currently Crystal uses her talent to motivate youth in her community and in 2010 was named an “Ordinary person doing extraordinary things”. She has reached many achievements beyond her years, including becoming the youngest honoree ever to receive the Milwaukee Community Journal’s Distinctive Leadership Award.
Thirteen years in foster care have developed Crystal’s sense of public service, and made her a very reflective young woman committed to improving the welfare of others in the community. Crystal received a sneak peak to her future in politics when she was selected as one of the top 5,000 students in the world to attend President Barack Obama’s inauguration. I attended the inauguration as well, and would like to think Crystal may allow me to serve in her administration someday. Either way, Crystal definitely has the vote of her fellow foster care alumni.
