2010 Outstanding Young Leaders

Cshampaigne was placed into a foster care group home as a teenager. While she was in the group home she accepted several leadership opportunities, and volunteered for anything that came her way. She is very passionate about advocating for foster youth. Cshampaigne has been the President of Nevada's State youth... Read more

George entered foster care at the age of 16 and struggled academically. Now, nearly 18, he loves school, does well in his classes and has recently reconnected with his family. George recently applied for and has been accepted to work as a Planned Parenthood peer educator at the Achieving Independence... Read more

After ten different placements and 8 years in foster care, Debra understands the importance of youth voice in reforming the system. “Foster kids and former foster children are the people who know exactly what needs improving upon in the foster care system because they are the ones who witnessed it... Read more

Sara has shown great resiliency in her life, and received some needed support along the way. She says, "I moved to Marion, Michigan where I stayed until I aged out. The last foster home I was in the foster mom called herself a life placement. She said no matter what... Read more

Karissa entered her first foster home at 14 years old. She persevered through several challenges but eventually steered herself towards a more positive path. Karissa says, "I had a hard struggle being completely on my own, with a little help from friends time to time, but that only lasts so... Read more

Council Term: 2015-2016 Tamisha was in Colorado’s foster care system from 7 until emancipating at 19. She bounced between three foster homes, kinship care and six juvenile centers. She is currently a member of the Bridging the Gap Youth Leadership Board, who help foster youth make successful transitions into adulthood... Read more

Vanessa is an alumni of the New York City foster care system. She is currently an Education Specialist at the New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS), a project funded by the New York State Education Department and housed at Advocates for Children of New... Read more

Tamaira was in foster care from the age of 14 until 17, when she was adopted along with her sister. She says about her experience, “Foster care was complicated, moving from home to home, with some homes more stressful than others. However, knowing that I was with my sister made... Read more

Deedee is currently serving as the Secretary for the Oregon Foster Youth Connection. Through the Oregon Foster Youth Connection (link is external) (OFYC), Deedee has been able to work with State Senators on drafting a bill that would provide all foster youth with specific driving rights. She was also instrumental... Read more