Irene E. / You Were Created With a Purpose!
Irene was placed in the system as a teen. She had to transition to a lifestyle she wasn’t used to. She was placed in an orphanage that made her feel like she was living in a bubble. She wasn’t able to see the outside, and had to adjust to all these new rules and restrictions. Irene had to suddenly follow all these new adjustments.
“ It made me feel like I was living in jail. The constant sounds of kids crying and fighting was also really hard to cope with..”
A message of God's love that was shared with me from some missionaries who visited her orphange one night changed her life. She decided to forgive her family, her offender and herself. She was created with a purpose.
One of Irene’s major accomplishments is, she is currently advocating for bills to be passed to change the California foster system. With her advocacy, the Bill AB1512 was passed. It allows survivor benefits to pass to foster youth instead of being taken unethically by counties. She is an author, entrepreneur, foster youth advocate and instructor at UC San Diego. She wants to continue to create journals to help foster youth with their personal development. Her goals for her family are taking good care of her 4 kids and being a good wife.
Irene is an example of resilience and what it means to be determined and dedicated. She motivates others to not give up, forgive yourself and your life is not over. If you forgive yourself, your perpetrators and your family you will soar. You were created with a purpose. You have talents and gifts to discover. You might have to work harder than other kids who aren't in the system, but your life is precious. You are needed in this world. Her advice for those experiencing foster care like herself is:
” Don’t give up, forgive yourself and your life is not over. If you forgive yourself, your perpetrators and your family you will soar. Your background makes you admirable to other people because of the adversity you overcame. You can inspire others with your story. “
Irene says needed most was a housing program that lasted more than 2 years. It was a blessing to not pay rent while in the programs. However, during college years, her housing should have been closer to the university and last at least 4 years. She had a long commute to get to UCSD from Oceanside every school day. She sees herself upgrading to a bigger house. Her goal is for Target to carry her journals in physical stores (they currently sell them on Target.com). In five years she will have more journals that are premium quality and other planners for sale. Irene wants her journals and journaling course to be part of the entire foster system in the US. She also wants her journaling course to be offered in other countries.