We are honored to acknowledge & celebrate our Fair Futures Heroes!
We are honored to acknowledge and celebrate our
Fair Futures Heroes!
Fair Futures is a true collaboration and community made possible by the many individuals who contributed to its growth and success. This grassroots, youth-led movement started in 2018 and evolved into a coalition of over 100 organizations and the largest cross-sector collaboration in the history of child welfare. Today, there are 500+ Fair Futures staff across 37 organizations implementing the model, which supports over 4,000 young people who have experienced NYC's foster care and/or juvenile justice systems.
Nominate a Fair Futures Hero
Anyone can nominate a Fair Futures Hero!
One hero is chosen each month in the categories below:
Fair Futures Leader
Fair Futures Partner
Foster Care Coach, Tutor, or Specialist
Juvenile Justice Coach or Specialist
This Month's Heroes
Val is an incredibly passionate, committed and driven Fair Futures leader!
She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure all of the young people in her program are heard, supported and thriving. Furthermore, she works alongside her staff every step of the way to instill an incredible foundation of learning, growth and heart, while equipping them with all of the tools necessary to be impactful Coaches, Specialists and Leaders. There is no-one better to lead the Way Program than Val! While holding several different positions at The Children's Village, it didn't take long for her light to shine, and for all those surrounding her to see the amazing leader she is!
When we think of a Fair Futures SHero or bright star, VALERIE MOORE SHINES!
We are all so lucky to have her in our Fair Futures Family and look forward to seeing all of the amazing things she accomplishes while leading her Way Program at The Children's Village.
We love you, Val!
Jess Dannhauser is the NYC ACS Commissioner and one of the founders of Fair Futures.
His vision, leadership, collaborative nature, and deep belief in young people's potential helped NYC become the first in the nation to support young people in foster care until age 26. One of the many reasons why Jess is a Fair Futures Hero is that he models the Fair Futures approach - he is authentic, compassionate, and a great listener; when he speaks to you, he makes you feel like you are the only person in the room. Everyone feels special, supportive, and loved when they are in his presence. Thank you, Commissioner, for all that you have done to uplift the voices of thousands of young people and ensure they receive long-term, individualized support to achieve their goals and dreams.
Christina has been with the Fair Futures community since its inception. She has grown to become a seasoned Coach with deep expertise across education, career development, and housing, and has continually led the charge at Good Shepherd Services with her coaching approach. She has built strong, genuine connections with her young people and it shows in the results! Christina has also become a leader in the Fair Futures community, having presented on many training panels, workshops, and learning communities. Thank you, Christina, for your dedication and compassion!
Stephany joined the CMS team in late 2019, working with young people as a Case Aide. When Fair Futures expanded to service young people impacted by the justice system in NYC, Stephany joined the CMS Fair Futures team as one of the inaugural coaches.
Since April, Stephany has brought her infectious energy and enthusiasm to every training, workshop, and learning community, and to developing the CMS Fair Futures "special sauce" a.k.a. CMS' incredible program! Stephany brings this same openness, compassion, and excitement to her work with her coachees, lifting up their strengths and celebrating their wins. Most recently, Stephany supported one of her coachees navigate a precarious situation with serious implications. By helping her coachee stay consistent in his efforts, by coaching him in his self-advocacy so he could speak to his own successes, and by continually highlighting his hard work, Stephany's coachee earned recognition for his engagement and improvement and avoided further systems-interaction. Thank you, Stephany, for your dedication to your young people!
Stephany received her Bachelors of Science from New York City College of Technology and is the proud mother of her teenage daughter, Amber.
Val is an incredibly passionate, committed and driven Fair Futures leader!
She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure all of the young people in her program are heard, supported and thriving. Furthermore, she works alongside her staff every step of the way to instill an incredible foundation of learning, growth and heart, while equipping them with all of the tools necessary to be impactful Coaches, Specialists and Leaders. There is no-one better to lead the Way Program than Val! While holding several different positions at The Children's Village, it didn't take long for her light to shine, and for all those surrounding her to see the amazing leader she is!
When we think of a Fair Futures SHero or bright star, VALERIE MOORE SHINES!
We are all so lucky to have her in our Fair Futures Family and look forward to seeing all of the amazing things she accomplishes while leading her Way Program at The Children's Village.
We love you, Val!
Jess Dannhauser is the NYC ACS Commissioner and one of the founders of Fair Futures.
His vision, leadership, collaborative nature, and deep belief in young people's potential helped NYC become the first in the nation to support young people in foster care until age 26. One of the many reasons why Jess is a Fair Futures Hero is that he models the Fair Futures approach - he is authentic, compassionate, and a great listener; when he speaks to you, he makes you feel like you are the only person in the room. Everyone feels special, supportive, and loved when they are in his presence. Thank you, Commissioner, for all that you have done to uplift the voices of thousands of young people and ensure they receive long-term, individualized support to achieve their goals and dreams.
Christina has been with the Fair Futures community since its inception. She has grown to become a seasoned Coach with deep expertise across education, career development, and housing, and has continually led the charge at Good Shepherd Services with her coaching approach. She has built strong, genuine connections with her young people and it shows in the results! Christina has also become a leader in the Fair Futures community, having presented on many training panels, workshops, and learning communities. Thank you, Christina, for your dedication and compassion!
Stephany joined the CMS team in late 2019, working with young people as a Case Aide. When Fair Futures expanded to service young people impacted by the justice system in NYC, Stephany joined the CMS Fair Futures team as one of the inaugural coaches.
Since April, Stephany has brought her infectious energy and enthusiasm to every training, workshop, and learning community, and to developing the CMS Fair Futures "special sauce" a.k.a. CMS' incredible program! Stephany brings this same openness, compassion, and excitement to her work with her coachees, lifting up their strengths and celebrating their wins. Most recently, Stephany supported one of her coachees navigate a precarious situation with serious implications. By helping her coachee stay consistent in his efforts, by coaching him in his self-advocacy so he could speak to his own successes, and by continually highlighting his hard work, Stephany's coachee earned recognition for his engagement and improvement and avoided further systems-interaction. Thank you, Stephany, for your dedication to your young people!
Stephany received her Bachelors of Science from New York City College of Technology and is the proud mother of her teenage daughter, Amber.
Fair Futures Heroes
September 2023
Fair Futures Heroes September 2023
Fair Futures Heroes