Virginia Commonwealth University senior Sixto Martin Cancel is headed to the White House next week, where he will be recognized for making a difference in the community.

He is one of 12 former foster youths from around the nation who will be saluted Tuesday, May 19, as a “Champion of Change.”

Smart, friendly and energetic, Mr. Cancel, 23, has a deep mission to help others.

As a high school student, he created an SAT prep and remedial education program in his hometown of Bridgeport, Conn., for students in foster care. He recruited volunteers and secured funding for Stellar Works, as the program is known. As a college student, he started a nonprofit, Think of Us, as a commitment to action under the Clinton Global Initiative

The organization is creating an online library of videos to coach youths through their experiences in various social service systems. As envisioned, it will bring together voices of young people who currently are in or were formerly involved in or with foster care, social workers and probation officers.

His advocacy for both Stellar Works and Think of Us continues around his studies at VCU, where he is on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science next spring. He earned several scholarships to attend VCU through his foster care journey and advocacy work.

Through the years, he also has served on several national advocacy and advisory organizations aimed at giving young people in foster care a voice on policy and change. He has served as a member of the National Foster Care and Alumni Policy Council, and currently serves on the board of the North American Council on Adoptable Children. His goal has been to extend the length of time young people can remain in foster care and to improve the quality of support services available to those in foster care.

The White House recognition is the icing on the cake.

“I think it’s a true honor,” said Mr. Cancel. “I went from a very abusive situation (as a youngster) to being able to be a voice for other young people in foster care.”

Mr. Cancel and other “champions” will be honored “for their courage, resilience and contributions” at the event, which also will highlight their commitment to furthering their education.

Right now, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Roy L. Austin, deputy assistant to the president for urban affairs, justice and opportunity, are scheduled to make remarks at the event, although most are hoping President Obama will attend.

The event will be streamed live 9 a.m. Tuesday on the White House website, www.whitehouse.gov/live. Mr. Cancel has been undeterred by tumultuous life changes, including entering foster care at age 11 months, a failed adoption and re-entering foster care at age 15.

He remains upbeat and forward thinking, and a beacon of light and inspiration to others. Here’s a look at this week’s Personality, Sixto Martin Cancel:

Date and place of birth:March 18 in Bridgeport, Conn.

Current home: Richmond’s Fan District.

Extracurricular activities: Every Monday, through the social networking group Meetup, people in the local community plan a different set of activities. We do a coding event learning how to program websites and online platforms at Think of Us headquarters at 913 W. Grace St.

Career goal: To use data technology and multimedia to impact young people’s lives.

Ultimate ambition:To take Think of Us forward. We’re moving ahead. It’s just about securing more funding to be able to do the work we need to do.

What I am doing this summer: Working to develop some tools to help foster parents. We are participating with VCU’s “GoForIt” program, which is partnering with Lighthouse Student Startup Labs to help Think of Us grow our capacity.

How I got the news of the White House honor: I literally got an email about a week ago from the White House.

Is this your first trip to the White House: No, I’ve been there about five times. The first time was in February 2012 for the Black LGBT Emerging Leaders Conference. I’ve been three times this year, including once for a White House technology event and again for the Black LGBT Emerging Leaders Conference.

What were your first and subsequent trips to the White House like: It was like a dream. Going to the White House is one of the most humbling experiences. When you walk into the White House complex, it makes you realize all of the sweat equity that you put in is worth it.

How would you describe the people you met at the White House:Everyone is super passionate and super knowledgeable about why they are there.

Have you ever met President Obama: Shook his hand while he was campaigning in Bridgeport, Conn.

Why I became involved in community service: I was raised by nonprofits and government systems, so those people who contributed — whether time or finances — are the folks who bought into my life, so I feel I should pay it forward.

Think of Us is dedicated to: My older brother, Tyson, who passed away, and my older sister, Nicky, who passed away. When systems fail to engage young people, real outcomes go beyond just incarceration and homelessness.

Why should someone become a foster parent: Fostering is a calling. If you hear that calling, you should respond. It’s the opportunity to be able to impact someone’s life. You’re helping them not only become an adult, but you’re helping them on their development journey.

Advice to people considering adoption or foster parenting:Commit to a young person. Every young person deserves a forever family. If you’re fostering, you should foster to adopt.

What improvements are needed in the foster care system:Foster care should extend beyond the age of 18. When you turn 18, there are no types of services. So many of these young people then become homeless, jobless, suffer mental health issues or worse. Lack of services and support can result in lifelong negative outcomes. It is morally wrong that we take young people in these homes in one situation, then systematically line them up to fail because we have not fully provided support and services. I would like to know how many of the state legislators’ children were fully ready at 18 to live independently. We also need more online resources for people to be able to navigate the foster care system.

A good parent is: One that not only provides the love, nurturing and structuring, but provides the normalcy that is needed for a young person to come out of that survival mode.

Foster children are:Any young person, period. The reason young people come to foster care is because they’ve experienced some type of abuse, neglect or a parent is unfit to care for them. The children are naturally reacting to whatever situation they’re coming into.

What is your favorite TV show: “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.”

What is your favorite book: The Harry Potter series.

Four words that best describe me:Dedicated to the work.

Favorite pig-out food:Your typical breakfast of eggs, cheese, pancakes, but I try to stay away from bacon.

How would your friends best describe you:Passionate and as someone who has a strong work ethic.

The person that influenced me the most:I would have to say a group of people. The Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative in Baltimore, from the beginning of my teenage years, helped me with financial literacy, gaining life skills, asset development and being involved in local and national advocacy work.

My outlook for the future: I would say it’s very positive. I’m looking forward to partnering with several corporations to bring our Think of Us online tools to folks in need.