Jennifer Pester receives 2023 Foster Youth Award from governor
Governor Tony Evers, First Lady Kathy Evers, and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson honored five outstanding foster families and three youth during the 2023 Governor’s Foster Care Award ceremony on May 25, 2023, in the Assembly Chamber of the State Capitol.
Jennifer Pester of Medford was one of the youths who received a 2023 Foster Youth Award for overcoming challenges, boosting grades, and building positive and lasting relationships within their communities. Jennifer accepted the award surrounded by her former foster family Kathy, John, Alexis, and Levi Zuleger.
The recipients of these awards are selected from several nominations submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Jennifer’s nomination stated, “Jennifer Pester is one of the most resilient people I have ever met and is so deserving of this award. Through the years I worked with Jennifer, I found her to be her own biggest advocate. When I first met Jennifer, she was living with a relative because her own home was unclean and unsafe. She was struggling with attending school regularly, was at risk of not graduating, and was grieving the loss of her mother. Jennifer advocated for her own needs and was ultimately placed with a local foster family. After finding stability, Jennifer re-dedicated herself to school and was able to earn enough credits to graduate on time. While completing high school, Jennifer also worked, saved money for her own car and apartment, and participated in as many independent living programs as she could. Currently, Jennifer is in her second year of college (of which she has made the President’s List!), works, and gives back to the foster care system. Jennifer currently gives back by serving on our foster parent recruitment team and advocating at the state level for youth who come from similar backgrounds. Jennifer is studying business management and hopes to start an organization focused on helping youth who are at risk of abuse or neglect. Jennifer’s grit and determination is a true inspiration!
Fostering can have a great impact on a child’s life. Gov. Evers said, “What’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state, and safe and supportive families are critical for our kids’ and our state’s success.” “Wisconsinites are helpers by nature, and foster families exemplify what it means to be a helper, often doing difficult but important work to help support kids and families across Wisconsin. We’re glad to celebrate their good work today.”
“The foster parents, relatives, and friends we recognized today consistently go above and beyond in providing an abundance of care, love and security to children and youth,” said DCF Secretary Amundson. “By opening their hearts and homes, these families help children grow into successful members of our communities. We’d like to extend a big thank you to these families, as well as all the foster and kinship families across the state for their commitment to Wisconsin’s children and families.”
To learn more about how to become a foster home or how to support the foster care program in Taylor County please contact Taylor County Human Services at 715-748-3332 or tammy.schreiber@co.taylor.wi.us.
