2020 iInspire Awards Presentation

Alycia Jensen (Teller County) has overcome adversity and has turned it into strength. She has been participating in the Communities that Care process to be a youth voice to create positive change within her community for young people in Teller County.

Izzy Frizalone was abandoned by parents in May of 2015. Izzy is excelling in school, friendships, and acclimating to family life with an adoptive family after living in group homes and residential facilities. Izzy will graduate this spring, is a volunteer at Camp Shady Brook and is involved with the choir. Izzy is a leader and exemplifies what it means to overcome the hardship endured during childhood.

Joey Littleton recently emancipated from the custody of the Department of Human Services where he spent many years as a result of abuse by his adoptive parents. Joey has inspired others by following his dreams of being a filmmaker and releasing his very first film. The film, “Musical Chairs,” depicts his time in foster care. He hopes to inspire young people in foster care to “take back the pen” and become authors of their own stories. You can view the film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvfF6pCZga4

Diego Caraveo Hernandez lives in Colorado Springs with his grandparents. His parents live in Mexico, and he had not seen them for four years until he visited them at Christmas.  He is a role model in the classroom, he works hard at all subjects and translates for Spanish speaking peers. When this eighth grader was asked why he has such a good work ethic, he replied “to make my parents proud.” Diego is an inspiration.

Davon Brown has known food insecurity, neglect, and abandonment. Before being put out on the streets, he had been left for ten days to care for five siblings, including a two-week-old. Davon is completing his fifth year of high school, has completed the FAFSA and has been accepted to college. Davon is extremely special. His path could have been very different without his determination and his joy of life that invites people to be his friend.

Jamar Gonzalez has been in foster care and is now living with his grandmother. He has not had an easy road, yet he continues to choose to take the higher path and inspire others to do the same. He does not let setbacks become excuses for permanently getting of the path he wished to be on.