Former Foster Youth Wins State Award

Former Stark County foster youth, Jared Herbruck, was recently named one of the "Rising Up and Moving On Award" winners by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO).

When Herbruck was 12 years old, he entered Stark County Job & Family Services' (SCJFS) foster care system, with his siblings. This year, he graduated from Canton South High School, where he completed the Building Trades and Army JROTC programs. He maintained a 2.9 GPA, earned two Varsity letters in wrestling and also played football.

SCJFS Independent Living Specialist Sarah Goins nominated Herbruck for the award. "Jared is amazing," Goins said. "He is a bright young man who makes Stark County and those who know him, proud."

According to Goins, Jared owes much of his success to his foster mom, Lavena Stokes, and to the teachers and counselors at Canton South High School.

"We are grateful to our foster parents," Goins said. "Thankfully, foster care and SCJFS' Independent Living program have enabled him to find stability and the ambition to succeed." The agency's Independent Living program offers instruction and support to youth who will be emancipating from the foster care system.

Herbruck is currently employed full time and plans to one day run his own construction company. He is committed to helping others, and volunteers his spare time and energy to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.