New York

Wilmary Rodriguez Checo 5 years in Foster Care 25 years old She/her/hers Wilmary Rodriguez Checo is working to complete a Master of Social Work degree, with a concentration in Public Policy. She immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2011 in order to pursue her higher education,... Read more

Chanel Staggers 1 year in Foster Care 21 years old She/her/hers Chanel Staggers is working on a degree in political science, with a minor in sociology. After graduation, she plans to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, and aspires to a career centered on fashion design, styling, and creative directing... Read more

Nittaya Casey 4 years in Foster Care 25 years old She/her/hers Nittaya Casey is a student at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, and will be transferring to a four-year university after she graduates this spring. She will major in accounting, with a minor in public policy and multicultural studies, and... Read more

Everina Mustafa-Bennett She/Her 19 Years Old New York State Foster Care System Everina Mustafa-Bennett, plans to attend the local community college for an Associate’s degree. She enjoys writing her story, and working on learning new languages. Her hobbies include kickboxing and dancing. Everina’s educational goals are to attend law school... Read more

Adrienne Torres She/Her 21 Years Old New York Adrienne Torres lives in New York State. She goes to school at SUNY Purchase, where she studies theatre, play writing and literature. She plans to get her masters degree in theatre education one day. Adrienne enjoys listening to alternative music, writing songs,... Read more

Johnoi Shaw is a Jamaican National that came here in his early teens and ended up in care. He obtained his Bachelor’s of Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience and aspires to get a degree in nursing. After experiencing and witnessing discrimination because his of sexual orientation, he decided to... Read more

Jonathan DeJesus 8 years in New York’s Foster Care System 20 years old He/Him/His Jonathan is from NYC but was born and raised in Ecuador for half of his life. His dream job is to become a public speaker and advocate for youth around the world. His life experience motivates... Read more

Grace Gold 2+ years in New York’s Foster Care System 19 years old She/her/hers Grace is currently in foster care. She grew up in many little villages and is currently studying at Alfred University. At College Grace found herself becoming more interested in being a leader, being more involved with... Read more

Odell, Alvin Alexander, 24, New York’s Foster Care System Odell’s contributes his experiences within the foster care system to have prepared him for working with and mentoring other foster youth. “I know how it feels when you are stuck in the situation, may it have been for better or for... Read more

Thalia Rose, 24, New York’s Foster Care System Thalia’s experienced seven different foster homes, the most challenging experience she had was believing that she was lovable. Now no longer in foster care, she is still living with, loved, and supported by her former foster mom of 9 years. When Thalia... Read more