Florida

Brandy Starks 3 years in Foster Care 25 years old She/her/hers Brandy Starks is working toward a Master’s in Social Work at Florida International University. Having previously earned an undergraduate degree in Exceptional Student Education (K-12) from Miami Dade College, Brandy plans to create a center that provides educational and... Read more

Tiffany Leveille 3 years in Foster Care 19 years old She/her/hers Tiffany Leveille will enroll at a university in Massachusetts, where she will major in Psychology with a minor in Musical Theatre. She aspires to a career in a psychology research field, and would particularly like to study how childhood... Read more

Alexia Ysabel Betances She/Her/Hers 21 Years Old Florida Foster Care System Alexia Ysabel Betances currently attends Florida Atlantic University, where she is a senior studying social work graduating in Fall 2021 with a bachelor’s degree. Alexia plans on continuing her studies at Florida Atlantic University in the Master of Social... Read more

Kailah Williams, 21, Florida’s Child Welfare system. Kailah experienced moving from group home to group home. This took a lot of time to get used to but she is grateful for the experience as it helped her understand different personality types and build relationships with the girls from all different... Read more

Jasmin Johnson, 20, spent 2 years in Florida’s Child Welfare system. Jasmin entered care at the age of 16 until she aged out of the system at 18. She experienced 4 placements, 1 group home, and 3 foster homes. Jasmin received an award in high school, representing her resilience and... Read more

Arlette, age 17, spent 2+ years in the State of Florida's foster care system. Arlette has been in three placements since being placed into care at the age of 15. She sees each placement she’s experienced as another opportunity to grow and learn to love herself. Currently a senior at... Read more

Renee spent 2 years in the State of Oklahoma’s foster care system. During her two years in care, Renee experienced eight placements in four different cities. Renee was adopted at 15 years old, but unfortunately, her adoptive mother passed away two years later. Renee’s case was never reopened, and she... Read more

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

Spending 5 years in Florida’s child welfare system, Natalia Moormann was placed in 9 different homes before being adopted at the age of 6. Natalia graduated high school and would then graduate in December with her associate's degree. Natalia is currently attending Florida State University for her bachelors in Entrepreneurship... Read more

Austin Blench spent 10 years in the Wisconsin foster care system. Austin was placed in 14 placements during his time in the system. Austin built resilience and his voice by his involvement in a group called “Foster Leaders”. Austin became an outstanding leader to the current/former foster youth in Jacksonville,... Read more