Tyler O’Brien ‘25 and Nick Leiter ‘25 were recently recognized with WDIV Channel 4’s Go 4 It Award for the month of May for their efforts to support children in foster care. 

The award, presented by WDIV Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis, honors individuals who are making a difference in their communities. The DCC seniors were chosen for their leadership in organizing a large-scale clothing drive that collected over 1,300 items for the Oakland County Foster Closet.

“This is a real problem in the community,” Tyler said. “My younger brother was placed into our home when he was just over two years old, and I saw firsthand how little time families have to prepare when a foster child is placed. Most of the time, they come with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Just being able to do something to support those kids is really important to me.”

That personal connection turned into action after the two students visited the Foster Closet during a school service day last fall. More than two dozen CC students took part in that visit and met Michele Austin, the organization’s founder.

Austin, a foster parent herself, started the Foster Closet in her own home 11 years ago after her first foster child arrived with nothing. “He was six when he came to me. He’s 23 now,” she said. “We started asking friends and family for help, but that got really cumbersome. We knew we had to do something better.”

Today, the Foster Closet operates out of a large space and serves foster families across Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties. Families can shop for essentials like clothing, bedding, hygiene products, and toys, all donated by members of the community.

With the help of the Mothers’ Club, Tyler and Nick launched a two-week clothing drive at CC. Students, parents, and faculty responded enthusiastically, donating more than 1,300 items.

Nick, who plans to study business at the University of Michigan, said the project made a lasting impact on him. “In that moment, when you’re sorting the clothes and preparing them to be given away, you feel like you’re actually making a difference.”

Austin echoed that sentiment. “When students like Tyler and Nick step up, and they get other kids involved, that’s what gets me excited. Because without the community, we don’t have anything.”

The experience has inspired both young men to keep the effort going. “This was the first time we’d done anything like this,” Nick said. “We learned a lot through the process, and next year we’re hoping to expand it—maybe bring in more schools, collect even more donations, and have an even bigger impact.”

Ellis praised the students not only for their initiative but also for the example they set for others. “We heard your story, and every month we honor a young person or group that’s making a difference,” he said. “The fact that you guys are doing what you’re doing—we wanted to make sure you were honored. So on behalf of Channel 4, and our partners at Henry Ford Health and The Gilbert Family Foundation, congratulations on being this month’s Go 4 It Award winners.”