Alabama

Kyra Smith, 20, Alabama’s Foster Care System Kyra experienced four different placements and is now attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham while taking care of her grandmother and great grandmother. She also works at her college campus recreation center. Kyra is on the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and... Read more

Michaela Guthrie was placed in foster care at the age of eleven in the state of Alabama. She was placed in the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home for two years while some members of her biological family went through the process to become foster parents. At the age of 13, she... Read more

Breanna Avalos spent 3 years in the Alabama foster care system. Breanna went through 3 placements while in care. While in high school, Breanna participated in FCCLA, Spirit Club, and the Marching Band. Breanna served as secretary for FCCLA, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, where she volunteered her... Read more

Among the farming and timber industry in the small town he has always called home, Matthew Zinnermon can be found volunteering to better the community by picking up trash on the road or helping the elderly clean their homes and cars. His participation and dedication is strongly supported by his... Read more

Crystal Lovelady spent 1 1/2 years in Alabama's Foster Care System. Columbia University is one of the finest schools in the country, if not the world. So when former foster youth Crystal Lovelady encountered the question “Can anyone actually identify with foster care? Does it really represent something Columbia should... Read more

Congratulations to Sean Hudson! 2010 Outstanding Young Leader 19 years old Alabama An aspiring social worker and lawyer, Sean has not let his foster care experience bring him down, using these experiences to motivate him to succeed. “I will admit, there has been some frustrating times where I might have... Read more