On June 1st, we honored the excellent writing and resilience of 15 young people at the 18th Annual Awards for Youth in Foster Care, hosted by The College Board in New York City. It was a heartwarming and emotional evening for all who attended. 

First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray congratulated the winners via video to open the ceremony.

Dozens of supporters, friends and family came to cheer on the winners. 

After the ceremony, Grand Prize winner Crystal Baxter wrote, “As foster kids we live in secrecy because of the stigma attached to the label. I feel like we are invisible youth so it was overwhelming — in a good way — to see so many people in our corner supporting us. I’ve never felt so understood in a room full of people openly talking about things we have been taught to erase out of our minds.”

Stacy Rogers of New York Foundling, who nominated Grand Prize winner Paris Boyd, said of the awards, “Few professionals in the child protection field are privileged enough to see their work bear fruit and to see their clients recognized for their perseverance in the face of daunting challenges.  I feel honored that I was able to have that privilege.” 

Thank you to all of our speakers and presenters, the adults who work with the winners and support them on their journeys, the College Board, and the Rosenberg and Tin Man Funds and Bob Danzig for making the awards possible. 

And congratulations again to all of the winners!

>> View photos from the ceremony (via Facebook)

>> Watch Chirlane McCray’s message to the winner (via Youtube)