Theodore Osborne, a CSI senior majoring in Psychology, is one of fifty young people nationwide selected by FosterClub as a recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Young Leader Award. Osborne, who was in foster care for 16 years, has worked for the past three years as a Peer Advocate with Graham-Windham, a New York City child welfare agency, helping young people in care speak for themselves as they move through significant life transitions.
At the College of Staten Island, Osborne is completing his degree in psychology with a minor in anthropology, a pairing that reflects his interest in human behavior and in how young people work through questions of identity and growth. His focus as a student and his focus as an advocate point in the same direction: helping someone feel understood at a moment that can otherwise feel isolating.
His work at Graham-Windham has also extended to the organization’s efforts on alternatives to foster care, where he has helped explore ways to strengthen family connections and open paths toward reunification. That assignment carries particular weight for Osborne, who is giving back to the agency that figured in his own experience. He credits the woman he considers his mother, a constant presence in his life, with much of the stability that he and his siblings found.
“For me, Graham will always be family and a place for me I owe a lot to, because without them I wouldn’t be able to say I have dreams,” said Osborne.
“Theodore represents what the Outstanding Young Leaders recognition is all about. Young people who are using their experiences, talents and leadership to make a difference for others,” said Celeste Bodner, Founder and Executive Director of FosterClub. “We’re proud to recognize Theodore and excited for people in Staten Island to see the extraordinary leadership we see.”
Osborne plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling after finishing his undergraduate work, continue at Graham-Windham, and take on a role as a Slam Coach while in graduate school. Longer term, he hopes to earn a doctorate in cognitive psychology and spend his career helping teenagers and young adults better understand themselves.
FosterClub is the national network for young people in foster care, leading efforts to connect, educate, inspire, and represent children and youth in and from the system. The organization empowers young people to improve the lives of their peers through advocacy, system change, and direct service.
For more on FosterClub’s 2026 Outstanding Young Leaders, visit FosterClub.org, where resources are also available on how to get more involved with initiative to help youths in the foster care system.
