2025 Fall Benefit Honoree Spotlight: Celebrating Council Member Rita Joseph

When we believe in the strength, resilience, and potential of others, we unlock doors to brighter futures.  

The 2025 Fall Benefit for St. Vincent’s Family Services introduces a brand-new award celebrating individuals or organizations whose exceptional belief in the potential of all children and commitment to providing a safe, nurturing home for youth in foster care sets new standards of excellence.

The inaugural Believer Award goes to NY Council Member Rita Joseph, whose dedication and direct experience have transformed lives far beyond the foster care system and left lasting impressions on NYC youth.

We sat down with our 2025 Believer Award recipient to talk about why this particular issue resonates so deeply and what we can do to support youth in care moving forward.

Heartshare

How were you introduced to Heartshare St. Vincent’s Family Services?  

CM

I was introduced to Heartshare through my [sons]. When the boys entered the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) system, Heartshare was the first and only agency I worked with. I have been part of the Heartshare St. Vincent’s family since 2013, when my boys were still in foster care. We finalized their adoption in 2017.

Heartshare

What can you share with us about your journey as a foster parent?

CM

I had never been involved with the ACS system before, but a lot of things resonated with me that could have been done better.  I didn’t want others who go through this journey to face the same challenges I did with this process, so I began addressing the issues I experienced through legislation, starting with the Luggage of Love Bill. This project is very personal to me because of my boys.  

When the boys first came to me, all of their belongings were in these black plastic bags. We threw the bags out immediately and went shopping the next day to buy new luggage and clothes. However, not everyone has that opportunity, and that was one of the things that stayed on my heart. The Luggage of Love Bill requires the Office of Children and Family Services to provide proper luggage to every child in foster care, eliminating the use of black plastic bags for transporting youth belongings.

I wanted to take this journey as a foster parent because, indirectly, I knew the boys, and I knew it was best for them if they were with me. When my son went into foster care, he chose me, and I chose him. And because he has a brother, it was important to me not to separate them. Thankfully, I was able to do that, and they were able to grow up together as brothers, despite being 10 years apart.

Heartshare

What would you share with others who are currently considering fostering or adoption?  

CM

One of the things I did with the boys that I hope every foster parent does is put them in counseling. No matter the situation children in care are going through, they are being pulled apart from someone they love. I would definitely recommend counseling, just to help them work through those feelings. Especially to let them know that there's nothing wrong with them, and what they are going through is no fault of their own. And to remember you have a loving home to come back to.

Heartshare

You’ve accomplished quite a bit in your life. What’s one of your proudest achievements so far?  

CM

We hosted our first event in August, honoring the passage of the Luggage of Love bill. It was a highly emotional day.  

Everyone came out, including ACS and community members who donated luggage to the youth in care. We also included college representatives and the Fair Futures office to provide students with resources, college information, and guidance on available paths.  

A young woman told me, “No one had ever done this for me when I was in foster care. I wish you were here sooner.” I replied, “I wasn’t supposed to be here any sooner or later. I’m here at the right time.”

Another young woman reached out to me. She got into college but didn’t have any luggage. She came, and we picked out her luggage together, packing it with new clothes and toiletries. These are details that can easily be overlooked unless you’re paying close attention.

Currently, only Texas, Oregon, Maryland, and New York have hopped on to the bill providing luggage to youth in care, so we have 46 states that need to join the initiative.

While working on the bill, I told Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, “I'm copying you. I'm passing that bill.” He responded, 'Chair Joseph, it's the little things.'

Heartshare

What’s the next big milestone you hope to achieve?    

CM

I was a keynote speaker at an EdTech Conference at Columbia College. I spoke about how AI in various industries can’t replace human relationships. As a lifelong educator, I know the dignity and love in a classroom can't be replaced by computers.  

We can use AI to supplement our work, support multilingual learners, and aid students with disabilities. But they can never replace what we bring to the table as educators, as moms, as social workers, and all the other roles that we play. I taught for 22 years, and I know for a fact, you cannot replace the love of a teacher.  

Just look at the pandemic; students lacked person-to-person interaction, and while some thrived, many struggled.  

That’s why mental health is such an important issue now, and I’m ensuring proper funding for mental health programs because that’s what kids tell me they need. They need access to social workers, guidance counselors, and behavioral specialists, especially in schools.

Heartshare

How can we encourage others to become more involved in our community?  

CM

People often don’t know how to get involved, so we need to educate them on the opportunities available. Let them know where the resources live.  

Also, if you see a gap in your community that can be filled through legislation, speak with your Council Member about building effective mandates to make things happen. I’d love to work on more legislation.

Heartshare

When you think of St. Vincent's and the future of the organization, what do you hope to see in the next few years?  

CM

We need to continue to raise the voice of young people in the system. Let them know that there are people who understand what they’re going through and that a great support system is in place for them, including mentorship, internships, and counseling opportunities.

The key question, though, is what support do we provide to youth in care as they transition into adulthood?  

The number one issue amongst youth formerly in care is homelessness, along with a high absenteeism rate, which needs to be addressed.  How do we help young people from care find housing?  I've spoken to a few housing developers about setting aside housing specifically for youth who have been previously in care, as a great way to help us reduce the number of unhoused youth.

Additionally, having access to their personal documents. For example, the boys came to me with no birth certificates and no Social Security cards. Many youth in care, even after aging out, don't have access to their documents. I would love to see how we can work on the legislation to support that.  

It goes back to being yet another simple logistical detail that could make a huge impact on someone’s life. It's such an act of care to say, “I see how this change could make a difference,” and all it takes is people caring enough to notice and want to do something about it.

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Join us Thursday, November 13th, at the Rainbow Room to celebrate Council Member Joseph’s inspiring impact and be part of our vibrant Heartshare St. Vincent’s Family Services community by reserving your Fall Benefit ticket today!