Daijah H. / I came to the realization that I’m living the life I once prayed for as a child.

Daijah is a proud member of our inaugural Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) cohort, which is a first-of-its-kind 18-month initiative, supporting Sparks alumni as they build long-term independence and economic stability on their own terms.

Hi, my name is Daijah. I am currently a graduate student at National University in the Masters of Social Work Program, and I just got accepted to my first internship/practicum for my generalist year.

My passion for Social Work started back in 2013 when I entered foster care as a teen. I enjoyed having great social workers throughout my experience in foster care, which inspired me to want to give back to foster youth that went through a similar childhood experience as me. 

What excites me most about the internship with West LA Recovery is that I will be conducting my own group therapy sessions based on my choice of topics, and I will also get hands on learning experience with doing intake.

When I went to the in-person interview, I was offered an internship position on the spot, and it made me feel so grateful. I came to the realization that I’m living the life I once prayed for as a child.

I’m looking forward to gaining plenty of social work experience during my six month internship and being a part of a team that is addressing the social issues I see daily in my community. 

My message to other foster youth that are working towards their goals is to never give up on them no matter what obstacles may challenge you in life. Nothing comes easy and always remember that it’s not a race—it’s a marathon! 

Having support and mentors throughout my experience has been the best motivation for me to keep going. Knowing there are organizations, like Foster Nation, and people who genuinely want to see me succeed is a huge encouragement. They have guided me through my educational and career path, and I am grateful.