Host Organization: Children’s Village
Chapter Type: Statewide Chapter

The Bravehearts are a youth movement founded in Westchester County, NY by young adults who have struggled with a variety of issues and have had experience with foster care, residential placement, substance abuse, homelessness, mental health and/or the juvenile justice systems. They are determined to rise above their situations and Motivate Others through Voices of Experience (M.O.V.E). The Bravehearts are currently working side by side with those in County government and private agencies to change the very programs and services they participated in, and despite difficult circumstances, ask for nothing in return but to make a better future for those who will follow in their footsteps. The Bravehearts work with the Westchester County Department of Social Services and a cross-system Steering Committee in Westchester Building Futures, a federally funded planning grant aimed at redesigning the current service system to keep youth who are in or have returned from foster care from becoming homeless.