Ko spent most of his childhood in the foster care system, but it wasn’t a traditional path. When he was 10 years old, Ko was placed in state custody. Ko didn’t end up with a foster family; instead, he went to Bill’s Place, a residential campus of Youth Villages.
When families and young people reach the ‘front door’ at Youth Villages in Oregon, they meet Anna Veverka, the placement manager who is also known as ‘the puzzle solver.’
In Oregon, young people who experience foster care face steep barriers compared to their peers. Only 57% graduate from high school, and many age out of the system without family support. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, only one in 10 foster youth enrolls in college.
Throughout her life, ZiZi has had to learn to stand up for herself. With the help of her LifeSet specialist, she now has people in her corner.
I know what it feels like to pack your life into a trash bag.
I know what it feels like to walk into a new house and not know if you’re staying two weeks or two years.
I know what it feels like to pretend you’re okay at school when your whole life feels unstable.
There are moments throughout the year that remind us why community matters and Red Kite Nite 2026 was one of them. The event was a reflection of what happens when a village comes together with a shared purpose: to ensure every young person has the opportunity to dream bigger and achieve more.
Nick, 17, had been living in hotels around Atlanta with his mom and two siblings for more than a year. There was physical and emotional abuse, food insecurity, prevalent substance abuse, and very little structure or supervision. Diagnosed with ADHD and intellectual disabilities, Nick started acting out. He was suspended from school twice in just a few weeks, took his mother’s car without permission and refused his medication.
Dressing for success, from head to toe and all points in between, is more about capturing the air of positivity than showing off the hottest designer gear and bling.
Edana has learned that growth doesn’t require perfect conditions; only resilience, support and the courage to keep going. Growing up, Edana’s childhood was marked by instability. When she was seven, her older brother was removed from their home. By the time she was...
At 20 years old, Devin now feels confident about the future he is building and has strong faith in his direction. Growing up, he spent time in foster homes and under the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).