Jerome, age 17 – Buffalo
I am amazing, I have all of the qualities of the all-American boy. I’m focused, handsome, smart, athletic, as well as rounded. I have dreams and astonishing goals, but there is one thing that distinguishes me from everyone else. I represent the New York State Foster Care system. Or do I?

Mari, age 20 – Wellsville
I’ve been in foster care for 7 years and have had very little problems other than the past year. I love my foster family, they have been with me through everything.

John, age 17 – Schenectady
I am a junior in high school and I play school sports such as baseball, basketball, and football. I just won a bronze metal in the Empire State winter games for bobsledding. I’ve been in the foster care system for 14 years. I’ve been through a lot and I’m in YIP not just to help myself but to help other kids who are in foster care.

Latoya, age 19 – NYC
Hi Ladies and gents my name is Latoya and I see myself as a leader and child/teen advocate. Also a mentor and a mentee. I am also part of a peer leadership council and I enjoy volunteering my time for a good cause and hopefully make a difference.

Alex, age 17 – Greene
I’m something of a jack-of-all-trades. I’ve learned 3 languages, practice American karate, play the guitar badly, sing, run on the track team, play with computers, and dance in the rain. However, no matter what I do, I do it with all my heart and always give it my all.

Tara, age 18 – Hamilton
I am independent, I live on my own without help from ANYONE. I attend high school and will be attending LeMoyne College in the fall for social work. I’m on the regional and statewide leadership teams and I also represent New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico on the Board of Directors of the National Independent Living Association.

David, age 20 – Buffalo
I am a 20 year old college student. I am on a regional and statewide board for foster care. I do a mentoring group and I am in a leadership group. I like to do this work because I didn’t have any of this growing up and it is nice to make a difference and give back.

Tyesha, age 19 – Brooklyn
I am a full time student and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. I am on a council call Peer Leadership and we are hosting our annual Youth Conference.

Quintin, age 16 – Rochester
My name is Quintin, I am from Rochester New York. I am very ambitious and I love to speak to people.

Rina, age 18 – West Chester
Hi, my name is Rina and I am from New York

Scott, age 18 – Canisteo
I am a senior in high school who plans on attending college and working towards a doctoral degree in psychology. I am active in my church and school. I hold a part time job and I am able to maintain a 90% GPA.

Cherish, age 20 – Rochester
I am currently in college working towards a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Human Services. I am very active in my community and work part-time as a psychology tutor. I am currently living in a SILP program and will be “aging out” next month.

Tammy, age 20 – Buffalo
I’m an organized 20 year old 2nd year college student. My goal is to get my MSW and to work with the elderly. I’m hard working and enjoy being a mentor to a 10 year old young lady.

Asia, age 18 – White Plains
I’m 18 years old and I have been in foster care for 6 years. For the past 2 and half years I have been actively involved in advocating for youth in care by becoming President of my agencies council and also by joining my regional and statewide Y.A.C. I am also applying for the national Y.A.C.

Donielle, age 16 –Syracuse
I am a published poet and I have a 4 year publishing contract. IN my school, I started an AXCO club which is an acceptance coalition for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender kids. I also have some of my poetry displayed in the internet.