Lukas “Codie” Anderwald
He/Him
5 Years in Care
Lukas “Codie” Anderwald entered foster care just after his 13th birthday, facing big challenges. Struggling in school and feeling disconnected from his community, Lukas had a lot to overcome. But instead of giving up, he pushed through. Despite the odds, Lukas graduated and earned his diploma at Lamar Consolidated High School and Fred W. Edwards Academy, showing that resilience can turn struggles into success.
While in care, Lukas also became an advocate, using his story to inspire others and uplift his peers. He was recognized as Male Youth of the Year for Region 8 for turning his life around and for his dedication to helping others navigate similar struggles. Lukas frequently attends youth leadership conferences and works as a peer support specialist, helping others transition to better situations and advocating for positive change in the foster care system.
Lukas is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering at Austin Community College, with plans to transfer to the University of Texas and eventually join the Navy. His goal is to inspire foster youth to finish school and pursue higher education or a stable career, while also working to advocate for legislative changes to better support foster youth
