2023 winner
Joshua Martoma
United States
Joshua, a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform, draws inspiration from the first time he visited his incarcerated father. After noticing other children visiting their family members, he founded "KidsMates," an initiative that amplifies the voices of children impacted by the justice system. Remarkably, this initiative extends support to 2.7 million children with incarcerated parents. For his Rise project, Joshua collaborated with foster care centers to provide children access to holiday programming and academic tutoring, furthering his commitment to improving their lives. Beyond his advocacy, Joshua enjoys revisiting the "Harry Potter" series, engaging in squash matches with friends, and cherishing quality time with his two younger siblings.