Connecticut

Josh B

Josh B He/Him/His 22 Years Old Connecticut “I think former foster youth could become available as role models and/or mentors and provide hope through sharing our backstories. I truly believe I could have benefitted from that, rather than learn the hard way.” Josh has found many opportunities to share his... Read more

2023 Outstanding Young Leaders

David Oyola

Connecticut

David Oyola was in and out of care from age 3 to 24 in Connecticut. He stayed with DCF voluntarily at age 18 with the help of an independent living program, which allowed him to live in his own apartment as long as he attended school full time or worked... Read more

2018 #FosterEquality Spokesperson

Kristel Battle

Connecticut

Kristel Battle spent 3 years in the Connecticut foster care system and was adopted by her foster mom. Kristel is associated with an organization called Kids Helping Kids, where youth in the programs help kids in the community. Kristel would like to attend the University of Connecticut and major in... Read more

2018 Outstanding Young Leaders

Kimberly Mintz-Smith

Connecticut

No bio.Read more

2004 All-Stars

Sixto Cancel

Connecticut

Council Term: 2012-2015 Sixto first entered foster care when he was 11 months old, and moved through several foster homes for the past 20 years in care with he ten brothers and sisters. He currently lives in Richmond, VA where he is a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University. Sixto chaired... Read more

2012 All-Stars

Council Member - Past

Jaquan Harris

Connecticut

Jaquan Harris spent 12 years in the Connecticut’s foster care system Jaquan attends Curry College and plans to graduate with bachelors degree in Fine Arts, specifically, Communications with a concentration in Theater and Film Studies. His goal is to become a successful actor. He has been in foster care since... Read more

2016 Outstanding Young Leaders

Vincent Espino

Connecticut

Vincent Espino spent 4 years in Connecticut's foster care system. Over the past few years, Vincent has made an impact on Connecticut’s foster care system. Along with juggling school and work, Vincent has always found time to give back to the foster care system and make it better for the... Read more

2015 Outstanding Young Leaders

Lexie Gruber

Connecticut

Lexie Gruber spent 8 years in Connecticut's foster care system. Lexie Gruber is a force to be reckoned with. During the seven and a half years that Lexie spent in Connecticut’s foster care system, she has made significant strides to improve the foster care system for those that are currently... Read more

2015 Outstanding Young Leaders

Michael P

Connecticut

Mike loves his life. He entered foster care at age 11, and while in care he was in about 12 different placements, moving once or twice a year. All of Mike's placements were group homes except for one, which was a wilderness therapy program for at risk foster youth. He... Read more

2012 Outstanding Young Leaders

Katie Dydyn

Connecticut

In her own words, Katie “is proof that your past doesn’t limit your future”. She was a victim and survivor of domestic violence. After a police-involved incident, Katie stayed with a relative for several weeks, then moved into a friend’s home on a 24 hour emergency hold. Her friend’s parents... Read more

2012 Outstanding Young Leaders

Connecticut

Josh B

David Oyola

Kristel Battle

Kimberly Mintz-Smith

Sixto Cancel

Jaquan Harris

Vincent Espino

Lexie Gruber

Michael P

Katie Dydyn

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