2025 SE Ohio Youth Leadership Retreat

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the SE Ohio Youth Leadership Retreat took place at the Lodge at Hocking College, 15770 OH-691, Nelsonville, OH 4576. Youth leaders from Athens, Fairfield and Perry County participated. 

Link to more photos. 

Jordan Deaton receives the Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service Award

On Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, Children's Defense Fund hosted A Celebration of Joy in The Ohio State University’s Fawcett Center Ballroom from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.

Here is a link to photos. 

During the event, they presented the Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service Award for the first time. This award honors a young person who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community. 

Eligibility for this award:

• Nominee must be a resident of Ohio.
• Youth or young adults between the ages of 16 to 24.
• Nominee overcame systemic barriers and has transformed those challenges into a commitment to and involvement in public service
• Nominee’s public service aligns with CDF’s core values of community, equity, and inclusion as reflected in our mission, vision, and strategy.

The 2025 award recipient is Jordan Deaton, of the OHIO YAB and Montgomery County VISION Board.  An inspiring young leader. Jordan completed high school with honors in just 22 months, earning high grades along with the respect of his peers and teachers. He participated in the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC), where he mentored younger cadets, modeled discipline and respect, and led with compassion. As a transition-age youth, Jordan uses his voice to advocate for fellow foster youth. 

When the opportunity arose for OHIO YAB members to celebrate Jordan and support this event, his fellow VISION Board members immediately signed up to help with light set-up and escort honorees, including two former Ohio Governors. Many thanks to:

• Jaylin Hart
• Dalen Myles
• Aryunna Hill
• Abbey Yates
• Savannah Howard

2025 Rotary Presentation

Link to more photos.

On Friday, September 5, 2205, Jenny Stotts facilitated a panel for the Rotary Zones 30 and 31 Institute. Attendees represented 16 states and four countries. The focus of the panel was how to "Build a Village for Foster Youth in Your Community." Here are the PPT slides. 

Panelists included:

• Alivia Johnson, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador. Alivia participated in the Ohio Supreme Court's Youth Voice in Court Video Project, advocated for foster youth during Statehouse Day, and has co-led sessions for foster youth on leadership and life skills.

• Ann Bischoff, CEO of Star House. Star House does "whatever it takes to partner with teens and young adults as they exit homelessness and thrive in a community of hope."

• Adam Price, Board President of My Very Own Blanket. Adam is a foster parent and an advocate for the foster youth community. MVOB activates volunteers to make and donate blankets for foster youth in local communities. 

• Lisa Dickson of ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now). Lisa's quiet, but fierce advocacy empowers young people to use their voices to motivate meaningful change.

• Michelle Mays, founder of FosterHub and author of the Dumpster Doll book series (soon to be featured in an upcoming film). Michelle was inspired to start FosterHub because "former foster youth might be on their own, but they're not alone."

Representative Brewer: Champion of Young People Experiencing Abuse

On Friday, August 5, 2025, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Raven and ACTION Ohio members Lisa and Olena met with Representative Brewer's Office to further discuss safeguarding young people experiencing abuse. 

Three Recent Legislative Meetings

Addison in action during recent virtual legislative meetings

On Monday, July 28, 2025, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Addison and foster care alumni supporter Lisa participated in a virtual meeting with Representative Brewer to discuss Driver's License Barriers and Youth Who Run Away to Escape Abuse. 

On Tuesday, July 29, OHIO YAB supporter Doris Edelmann met with Representative Plummer to discuss Driver's License Barriers and Youth Inclusion on a Study Committee.

On Monday, August 4, 2025, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Addison and foster care alumni supporter Lisa participated in a virtual meeting with Representative Lett's Office regarding her work to propose a bill to regulate the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI). Addison shared a list of recommendations for inclusion in the future bill.

OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Russell Lang

OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Russell Lang recently returned from a busy week in DC. He is participating in a fellowship with the Forum for Youth Investment, and training to become a Congressional Liaison to speak on behalf of:

• Current and Former Foster Youth
• Opportunity Youth; youth ages 16-24 who are disconnected from school and work.

For the culmination of the fellowship, Russ and other fellows were able to travel to DC to speak with their District Representatives! 

2025 July OHIO YAB Meeting

Link to more photos.

Link to slides.