Our Grantees for 2009-2010
Alexandru C.
Alex, a graduate of Stoney Creek High School, will be attending Harvard University this fall where he plans to study Economics. His hobbies include reading, journalism, and participation in school activities such as the volunteer National Honors Society or the educational organization Business Professionals of America. He works at a local bookstore cafe and expects to begin an internship with his United States' Congressman at the local district office. As a foster child he received coverage in local and national media for his achievements and for the unique manner in which he found his most recent foster family; by researching court records, compiling a list of families in his community, and writing each a letter asking them to accept him into their home. Alex looks forward with excitement to the opportunities awaiting him in college, and seeks to return the positive intervention of influential adults in his life through his own future actions.
Dustin H.
This fall Dustin will be attending the University of Texas in Austin, where he will be majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in History. Dustin eventually wants to become a physical therapist, with desires of opening his own clinic one day. Dustin entered the foster care system at the age of eight. He has experienced thirteen placements and attended 13 different schools. He was placed in group homes, shelters, foster homes and kinship placements. He found stability in the last group home where he is currently living. Despite all of his different placements Dustin has a loving heart and desire to give back to his community. He has volunteered at a number of organizations; traveled abroad to participate in mission trips and even gives back to the group home that he currently lives in. Dustin knows that a majority of young people in foster care are scornful towards CPS, their caregivers, and their situations, which only make matters worse. According to Dustin, if attitudes could be changed, outcomes would be better. “It takes just one person, at one moment to change a lifetime; I want to be that person.”
Daysi H.
Daysi recently graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School and will be attending California State University at Fullerton in the fall. She plans to major in Broadcasting with hopes of opening doors to many of the things she loves to do. Daysi finds joy in giving back to her community, meeting new people, expanding her horizons and school activities such as yearbook, National Honor Society, Environmental Program and Early Liaison Program. At a young age she has know the value of a great education and had a goal to graduate from college. Daysi decided at the age of 10 to move to the United States to pursue her dreams. She has experienced multiple foster care placements including kinship care. Yet, despite all of the obstacles that Daysi has endured, she says this journey has been full of great experiences and obstacles but with college starting in the fall, a new beginning has come.
Daniel N. (Returning)
Words cannot give credit to Daniel's truly heroic story of survival. His remarkable journey of determination, forgiveness, love and peace embodies the highest level of the human capacity to overcome the worst of life's hardships. At age 5 Daniel witnessed the death of his mother and discovered his father had been burned to death during the genocide in Rwanda during the 1990s. The remaining family members fled and lost contact for years as Daniel struggled with more pain and suffering at the hands of an abusive foster family in Africa. Mention of the family name one day during a priest's sermon began a long process of searching and assistance with the best possible outcome: Daniel was reunited in the United States with his two remaining sisters. His accomplishments have been stellar since his arrival in the U.S. He was Vice President of his senior class, captain of the volleyball team and he is a member of the National Honor Society. We are honored to help support this young hero and pleased to welcome him back as a second-year grantee as he enters his Sophomore year at Southern Connecticut State University.
Andreas S. (Returning)
Andy returns to the Foundation as a second-year grantee. His personality shows a fiery spirit and a deep inner pride that opts to win and prevail. He is not afraid to wear his emotions on his sleeve and let his big heart steer the way. His vision of great possibility in life started at a young age in the south side of Chicago where he witnessed violence and poor habits of living. Rather than blame others and society for the misfortunes he experienced, he chose to apply himself in school and create his own success. His sense of humor is never far away and his tenacious approach has helped him excel in sports and academics at Seton Hall University, where he will be a senior in the fall. He is currently completing an NBA Summer Internship program in New York City.