A Full-Circle Moment
Sometimes, the most meaningful milestones are the ones that bring us back to where we started, only this time, we get to show up differently.
For Summer, that moment came when she was hired permanently as an Educational Advisor for a foster youth support program at a community college. Having once been a student in the very program she now works for, Summer understands firsthand just how much the right support can mean.
Her journey with the program began as a student, where she experienced its impact for herself.
She later returned as an intern before stepping into the Educational Advisor position in an interim capacity. After going through the interview process, she was selected for the role permanently.
“This is a full circle moment for me, and I am so glad to be able to give back to foster youth.”
Today, Summer gets to be the person helping other young people navigate their educational journeys, offering support informed not only by her professional experience, but by a path she has walked herself.
Learning to Build a Life That Feels Different
Summer’s journey to this moment wasn’t always straightforward, which shaped how she viewed the world and what she expected from life.
“I come from a background of instability and uncertainty in all aspects of my life. The feeling of not knowing what was coming next became comfortable to me.”
But over time, through therapy, healing, and a willingness to grow, Summer began to discover a different way forward. She started taking her education seriously, earned her bachelor's degree, and is now pursuing a Master's degree. Where she once struggled to maintain steady employment, she began recognizing the value of stability. And as she worked through past relationships and her own patterns, she developed a deeper sense of self-respect. Looking back, Summer shares:
“I am most proud of my growth.”
That growth has touched so many parts of her life, from her education and career to her relationships and sense of peace. Today, Summer shares a relationship with her fiancee she finds peaceful and has built a life that reflects the healing and personal work she has put in along the way.
Her story is a reminder that growth doesn't always happen all at once. Sometimes, it's found in the quiet decisions to keep going, to ask for help, and to believe that a different future is possible.
The People Who Helped Her Believe
Behind Summer’s accomplishments is a community of people who helped her see her own potential, even during the moments when she struggled to see it herself.
Her college counselor and foster youth program coordinator played especially impactful roles in her journey. When self-doubt crept in and she questioned whether she belonged, they continued to show up for her with encouragement and reassurance.
“There are times I have went to them in tears because I felt like an imposter, and I thought I could not succeed. They always helped me to believe in myself, and they reminded me that I deserve to be successful.”
Their belief in her became an important source of strength as she navigated her education and career. As Summer steps into a role supporting foster youth herself, she carries with her the understanding of how powerful it can be to have someone believe in you and remind you of what you're capable of.
She also knows that success is rarely something we achieve alone. Her siblings, counselors, professors, and friends have all helped her reach this point, each contributing to the support system that has helped her move forward.
“Having a strong support system is crucial to success after foster care. No one can do this alone. I certainty couldn't.”
Finding Comfort in Who You Are
For young people who are navigating foster care today, Summer offers advice that starts with something deeply personal: learning to feel comfortable with yourself.
“Become comfortable with yourself. I don't like the cliche of ‘love yourself’ because a lot of times that is genuinely difficult to do. But to be comfortable with yourself is a start.”
It's a simple but powerful distinction. Personal growth doesn't require having everything figured out or immediately feeling confident in who you are. Sometimes, the first step is simply learning to accept yourself as you are, while giving yourself room to grow into who you want to become.
Summer's own journey reflects that truth. Her progress has come through years of healing, learning, and making different choices. It didn’t come through a single defining moment, but through the accumulation of many small steps forward.
And as she continues building her future, she hopes young people know that they don't have to navigate every step perfectly to create a life that feels right for them.
A Future Built on Connection and Kindness
Summer also hopes to see more resources invested in strengthening parents and families, creating more opportunities for children in foster care to be reunified with their families.
For the broader community, her encouragement is that
“A little bit of kindness goes a long way. Be kind to others always and in all settings.”
It's a reminder that supporting foster youth doesn't always begin with a grand gesture. It can start with showing up, offering encouragement, listening without judgment, or helping someone feel seen when they need it most.
Summer knows the difference that kind of support can make because she has experienced it herself. The people who stood beside her helped her recognize her potential, pursue her education, and believe she deserved a successful future. Now, through her work as an Educational Advisor, she has the opportunity to extend that same kind of support to the next generation of foster youth.
Her story isn't just about earning a degree, advancing her career, or reaching a long-awaited milestone. It's about learning to build stability after uncertainty, finding strength through connection, and turning the support she once received into support she can now give. And perhaps that's what makes this moment so special. Summer isn't simply returning to the program that helped her along the way. She's helping shape what comes next for the young people who will follow in her footsteps.
Summer’s journey reminds us that our past doesn't have to define our future and that with healing, community, and the chance to grow, we can become part of the support system that helps someone else find their way.
Like Summer, you can use your voice to tell your story and help others understand the foster care experience. Share your story here.
