Honors for Foster Kids, Mentors, at Awareness Gathering

Tanya Cooper is : giving foster kids and those who mentor them recognition while promoting awareness to their cause.

Cooper, who was taken at age 5 from her mother in Brooklyn, spent her entire childhood and adolescence in foster care, part of which in Bedford Hills. She never got to live with her mother again, who died at 42 and faced addictions to alcohol and heroin. As a foster kids, Cooper experienced both ups and downs growing up, from abuse and being passed through different places, to her personal success that included graduating from and later from New York University.

“In my eyes, we are blessed kids just for having life," she told attendees at her second annual awareness event on Friday at the .

, the event is meant to honor those who have positively influenced foster kids and to support foster kids going through college with a scholarship. The fund is named after Robert Cooper, Tanya's brother who passed away in 2009 at age 41 due to heart disease.

“I want to tell the recipients today that you have the power to inspire, teach and assist others, and I hope that wherever your future leads you, you remember how special you are and we hope that you will, in Robert’s spirit, soar," said Megan Castellano, a friend of his growing up in the community. She credits Robert Cooper with her decision to pursue what is now a two-decade career in mental health.

This year's recipient of the scholarship is Sharrie Sterling, who received a check for $250, plus another of the same amount so she can pursue her dream to eventually own her own cafe. Sterling, who is leaving St. Christopher's Inc., plans to attend Monroe College, where she will major in culinary and pastry arts.

Sterling felt that her goal will be hard, referencing the academic rigor, but it is something she wants to do.

Two teens, Mercy Vega-Johnson and Shantha Vernon, were given honorable mentions and checks of $150.

Ramusa Alejandro, who was given the scholarship last year and last completed his freshman year at St. John's University, came back to visit. He noted that it is not only a home that foster kids need, but a mentor.

Alejandro also felt that the $250 he was given previously - he was awarded it again this year to continue in his studies - can be helpful with expenses such as books.

Three were honored with Citizen of Change Awards, which go to people who have helped foster kids.

“There always has to be someone to help you," Cooper said.

The recipients were Fonda Allen, who supports foster kids and those who transition out of the system, Dan Eisenberg, who helps kids and teens at the Boys & Girls Clug, and Rev. Colleen Holby of the Children's Village Pastoral Care.

“We treat our foster kids like they’re ours," said Allen.

“I wouldn’t even know what it would be like to have a career away from kids," Eisenberg said.

Michael Michael Cindrich, who was on hand for the honors, noted the work that the Boys & Girls Club does for kids in need.

“People that actually need help from society, and it’s about good people doing good things," he said.

Going foward, Cooper and Castellano hope to turn Foster Kids United, the name of the current support initiative, into a 501c3, tax-empt organization, which will allow for raising more for the scholarship program and outreach. For Cooper's blog, click here.