FosterClub
SALEM, Oregon — Tanner Herskowitz, a Fort Hays State University student who serves with the Ellis County Fire Department and has earned a Lifesaving Award in Ellis County, has been named a recipient of FosterClub's 2026 Outstanding Young Leader Award, one of fifty young leaders recognized nationally this year.
Herskowitz spent five years in Kansas' foster care system before trusted adults from his own community welcomed him into their family and later adopted him, and he now advocates for other young people with foster care experience.
Herskowitz is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice at Fort Hays State, focusing on criminal law and criminal justice leadership with a minor in history. He has also collected credentials well outside that track: a welding certificate, completion of the Fire Academy - the basic training program for firefighters - and both Honor Roll and Dean's Honor Roll recognition. Through the American Criminal Justice Association, a national organization for criminal justice students and professionals, he has earned regional and national recognition.
His service record runs through the community.
Alongside the fire department, Herskowitz serves on the Kansas Youth Advisory Council, a state advisory board of young people with foster care experience, and works with SOUL Family Collective. He is also the sort of person who reads the fine print on how systems operate and spends time reviewing policies, including work focused on domestic violence. What he took from the people who showed up for him is the impact one person can have by doing exactly that, and he works now to be that person for others.
"A small act of kindness can have a greater impact than we may ever realize," Herskowitz said. "Sometimes a simple conversation or helping someone get where they need to go can completely change the direction of their day or even their life."
“Tanner 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 Tanner and excited for people in Kansas to see the extraordinary leadership we see.”
Herskowitz hopes to combine his criminal justice education with his fire service experience and build a career in fire investigation. He also plans to keep developing as a public speaker, mentor and advocate, using his own story to remind people that a difficult beginning does not have to decide what comes next.
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.
Meet FosterClub's 2026 Outstanding Young Leaders and discover the remarkable ways young people with foster care experience are leading change in their communities and across the country. Visit FosterClub.org to learn more about this year's honorees — and find ways you can help young people in foster care thrive.