Katie, age 17 – Central Square
I am a senior in high school and I have been in foster care for over 3 years. I enjoy talking to friends, styling hair, shopping, listening to music, singing and dancing. I am currently applying to college and hope to pursue a degree in nursing.

Isaiah, age 19 – Phoenix
I am a senior in high school and I have been in foster care for 8 years. I enjoy playing the piano, singing, and being a scout master for a boy scout troop in my area.  I am currently applying for college and hope to become a probation officer or an investigator.

Tiffani, age 15 – Waterloo
I am a sophomore in high school and I have been in foster care for 3 years. I enjoy playing basketball, styling hair, and applying make up to friends.  I hope to attend college when I graduate from high school. I enjoy almost everything and I am open to meeting new people.

Kelly, age 18 – Fulton
I am a senior in high school and I have been in foster care for 5 years. I enjoy participating in clubs at school, hanging out with friends, and helping to take care of my 16 siblings. I plan to attend college after I graduate and intend to become a special education teacher.

Michael, age 19 – Fulton
I am a sophomore at the State University of New York at Oswego where I am majoring in Political Science. I plan to continue my education and receive a masters degree in education and then a doctorate degree in law. I hope to one day teach American History and become a politician. In my free time I like to play football and volleyball, collect Coca-Cola memorabilia, mow the lawn and socialize with friends.

Hope, age 20 – Syracuse
I am a junior at Syracuse University where I am majoring in Social Work. I was first placed in foster care at the age of 12 and recently adopted by my foster parents. It was difficult to understand the family dynamics because dysfunctional families were all I knew, but I now feel comfortable, they are now my own. I have never felt so accepted in my life and I am thankful to the Department of Social Services for providing this kind of permanency. I am passionate about advocating for youth currently in care.