Arizona

Ryan Young 4 years in Foster Care He/him/his Ryan Young resides in Phoenix, AZ, has spent five years in Arizona’s foster care and extended foster care systems and was originally an orphan from the Ukraine. He is currently studying at Phoenix College to obtain his Associate’s Degree in Political Science... Read more

Hailie Sanders 7 years in Foster Care 19 years old She/her/hers Hailie Sanders is a student at the University of Arizona, where she also works as a peer mentor for Fostering Success. In this role, Hailie provides mentorship, emotional support, and basic needs items to students who have experienced homelessness,... Read more

Jillian Clark-Duteil, age 20, Arizona’s Child Welfare system. Jillian entered care at the age of 15 and experienced kinship/relative care. She was placed with a good family friend where she and her sibling got to maintain their connection. Throughout her experience in foster care, Jillian and her sister were forced... Read more

3 years in Arizona Foster Care System Cieanna is a 20-year-old from the state of Arizona. She was in care for three years until she turned 18 including two kinship placements, a crisis center, a treatment facility, and a group home. She then decided to stay in extended care until... Read more

Frank Smith III was in the Arizona foster care system and was released at the age of 17. Due to the lack of parental support, he was placed in care. His foster placement was plagued by abuse and neglect. However, Frank has used his life story and knowledge to advocate... Read more

Dimon Sanders has been in foster care in Arizona since the age of eight. She was placed in 13 different placements before being adopted out of the system in 2014. Dimon began competing in pageants through the Miss America Organization because she had low confidence and low self-esteem. In June... Read more

Years in care: 7 Growing up, Cynthia spent time in three different homes that she can remember. From ages 1-6, she wasraised in the care of her godmother. When she was about six and a half, she was sent to stay with one of her relatives for about six months... Read more

Maria Rodriguez has been in foster care for about seven years and got adopted at the age of 16. She moved to eight different high schools from freshman year to the end of sophomore year and eventually graduated last May. Currently, she has enrolled at Gateway Community College located in... Read more