Ohio

Tegan G She/Her/Hers 17 Years Old Ohio “As someone who has been in the system and can give an inside perspective of how things work, I plan on becoming an activist for foster kids rights and fixing our broken system. The system is all we have, and if it's broken,... Read more

Raven W She/Her/Hers 21 Years Old Ohio “I feel like I have a purpose to fulfill. I am in the final stretch of college, and I am hoping to make changes in the foster system so that those after me can live their lives without some of the struggles that... Read more

Samantha Dillon, age 19, spent 3 years in Ohio’s Child Welfare system. Samantha had a total of 6 placements. She is a proud high school graduate and is working with the Ohio youth advisory board serving as the vice president. In her free time, she loves to play instruments and... Read more

16 years in Ohio's child welfare system. 26 years old She/Her/Hers Cleveland, Ohio Sonia Emerson entered foster care at the age of two and remained in care until she emancipated out at 18 years old. After leaving care, Sonia experienced homelessness for a year. During this time, Sonia began volunteering... Read more

Alex McFarland is a young activist passionate about improving educational and workforce outcomes for foster youth. As an alumnus of Ohio’s foster care system, he leveraged his first-hand experience aging out to advocate and elevate the voices of youth in out-of-home care beginning at 17 years old. He served as... Read more

Master Cook spent 18 years in the Ohio foster care system Master moved in and out of 6 different placements. In high school, Master tutored students with psychological disorders such as Asperger's, Down syndrome and Tourette syndrome. Master is also a licensed ordained minister currently serving in the capacity of... Read more

Age 20, 14 years in Ohio’s foster care system. Jeremie and his 2 siblings entered the foster care system when he was 5. After being placed with an abusive family member, he was placed in several temporary homes, attending 6 middle schools and 6 high schools in 3 different states... Read more

Re'Gine Jordan Wells, age 26, Ohio's Foster Care System Re’Gine Jordan Wells is a 2019 BSW graduate from Cleveland State University. Currently, she works for the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family as a Child Protection Specialist in the short term sex abuse department. Re’Gine has spent 5 years... Read more

Orlando Brown is a current student at Western Michigan University studying accounting. The fifth born of six, Orlando was exposed to values about taking on challenges in life by his older brothers. When he was placed in foster care he quickly understood he had to grow up fast for his... Read more