Conrad
Growing up, Conrad faced challenges most kids never dream of. As a young child, his mother passed away. He had never met his father, and without another family member to care for him, he was placed in the care of the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) and was eventually adopted.
But as Conrad grew and sought greater independence, the family decided they did not want to care for a teenager and gave him up.
Conrad found himself homeless. He could not find what he had always dreamed for – a mother and father who loved him enough to stick with him, to provide boundaries and guidance, and to help him grow into a successful young man.
Conrad spent the next several years bouncing between various living arrangements. At group homes, he did not find the family environment he needed, and his school referred him to the YOS Transitions Program. YOS Case Manager Danielle Winters began working with Conrad, helping him find a caring home.
Today at age 20, Conrad is living with supportive host home parents, where he is thriving. He graduated high school in May 2009 with honors and is now attending Malcolm XCollege, where he is studying to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). His host home parents are supportive of his endeavors, his host mother a police officer and host father involved in the medical field.
“As a successful student, budding artist and kind young man, Conrad has achieved his dream – finding a family,” said Danielle Winters. “I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
One of his many achievements, Conrad won third place of the Farmers Market Reusable Bag Design Contest and posed with Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley.
