Ohio's FosterClub Outstanding Young Leaders of 2009

For more information, please visit FosterClub's Outstanding Young Leaders of 2009.

Adrian McLemore was placed in foster care at age six as a result of his mother’s substance abuse. During his time in foster care, he lost his grandmother in a car accident while driving from Georgia to come to take custody of him and his siblings. Instead of being immobilized by grief, he focused his efforts on education and providing leadership for other foster youth.

At fifteen, he was elected the youngest president of a statewide organization. Adrian attributes his success to his own determination and the support given to him by his case workers. He indicates that they were instrumental to his development by ensuring that he was able to participate in various programs and activities.

Adrian is a member of the Ohio chapter of FCAA, the OHIO Youth Advisory Board, and serves as Vice-President of the VISON Board in Dayton, Ohio. He has advocated many times at both the State and Federal Level on bills that affect foster youth. While Adrian has positioned himself to be an advocate and a leader in his community, it is unfortunate the he aged out of the system without a permanent home.

Currently, Adrian is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management at Wright State University. He hopes to further his education at a graduate level, either obtaining a Masters Degree or a Law Degree. He has future aspirations for public service.

Cedric Riley is a 20-year-old college student dedicated to community leadership and success for himself and others. At the age of nine, he and his four siblings were placed in the Cuyahoga County Foster Care System due to parental neglect, and his life has been changed ever since. Though he and his siblings were placed in different homes, Cedric was able to adapt and learn the importance of independence and relationship-building. After 8 years in the foster care system, Cedric was adopted into a loving home in Cincinnati, Ohio where he experienced much of his scholastic and professional success.

Having enjoyed the honor of several leadership and academic accolades throughout his time in Cincinnati, Cedric has decided to give back by speaking passionately to youth, expressing that “Success is a Choice.” He also engages with professionals who work with youth to enforce that their work makes a difference.

Currently Cedric is developing the pilot of his curriculum and campaign entitled “America’s Next Motivator!” to bring creative empowerment to life.

Foster Stories

Artist paints picture of hope for children needing homes

Columbus -- When Darrin Hoover went on stage at the Southern Theater on Thursday night, Nov. 13, 2008, two blank giant canvases awaited him.

Two hours later, the canvasses showed the likeness of two adults, Lisa Dickson and Cedric Riley, whose life stories were intended to inspire children in the custody of Franklin County Children Services, letting them know that it’s possible to overcome extreme adversity.

Hoover painted the images and narrated the stories on stage in the multi-media docudrama, which also included a film and stirring music.

“I’m like your tour guide,” he told the enthralled audience.

The program, Portrait of a Child: Lives on Canvas, also was designed to motivate potential adoptive and foster parents to take the vital steps to help children stabilize their lives. The effort also was intended to attract volunteers to help with the agency’s various programs.

The creative work was the brainchild of Troy Lindsey, executive producer of the program and recruitment assistant for Children Services.

November is National Adoption Month and the performance was part of the local observance.

The occasion also introduced the newest All Kids Count Adoption and Foster Care calendar, who is available throughout the year.

The calendar features 13 children in need of safe, permanent homes and some of the families who have opened their homes to children in need of such care.

For more information, call 614-341-6060 or visit the Web site: www.franklincountyohio.gov/children_services