"Through it all, the foster care system taught me that I could pick and choose what values and skills I wanted to carry with me from each home that I lived in. I have been able to make the most of those skills.

To those in the system now, remember that foster care is temporary. It's unlikely that you will experience anything as bad once you are out, so hang in there!"

"At the end of the day… this is YOUR life, and you need to decide what’s in your best interest and take the initiative in helping yourself. Whether that be defending yourself, becoming your own advocate, scheduling doctor/therapist appointments, applying to college, searching for jobs, or just learning how to promote self-acceptance and self-love—remember, it’s up to you to better yourself and accomplish your goals!"

"I am living proof that you can use those same labels to break through the glass ceiling and dominate every space you walk into. Know that nothing is impossible once you recognize and boldly tell yourself that I’M POSSIBLE."

"What I learned? Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way… to be patient and understand that everything is a process. The puzzle will be complete when enough of its pieces come together. There is not one big puzzle piece that will solve everything. Every piece counts!”

“One of my most difficult milestones to overcome while in the foster care system was being disconnected from everything that I should have grown to love; family, friends, faith, etc… I felt like I lost a sense of who I was during that time in my life. One thing that I would do to help with my depression was repeatedly say to myself ‘I love Leo’ while pacing back and forth in my room. You have to learn to love yourself before you can genuinely spread love to others.”