On June 1, 2022, Represent magazine and Youth Communication celebrated the outstanding writing, persistence, and achievements of 10 young people at the 24th Annual Awards for Youth in Foster Care. Each winner received a prize of $1,100 and recognition of their writing, resiliency, and service to others. 

Each winner submitted two essays for the competition: about a time they helped someone else and about their experiences in the foster care system.

NYC Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser delivered the keynote address, praising the winners for their “generosity,” “empathy,” “telling your truth, and advocating for what is right” even while struggling to overcome obstacles themselves.  

Read all the winning essays in the souvenir booklet below:

We are deeply grateful to The Sunny and Abe Rosenberg Foundation for its longstanding support of youth in foster care and for the generous scholarships provided to this year’s winning essayists. Thank you again to the agencies that provide services to this year’s winners.

👏The Winners👏
Osvaldo Omar Chum Domingo, Hillside Children’s Center
Eowyn Cosantóir, JCCA
 R.E., SCO Family of Services
S.A. Masih Ghazanfari, Toomey Residential and Community Services
Steven Jones, Seamen’s Society for Children and Families
Shafaath Khan, Little Flower Children and Family Services
Reannon Matulewich, KidsPeace
Carneicia M, JCCA
Sadiqah Whittington, SCO Family of Services
Hamid Williams, Northern Rivers Family of Services