Latoshia A. / Never Too Late To Learn
"In foster care, the fear of being separated from my siblings was the most daunting challenge. I always love being around my siblings at all times," says Latoshia, reflecting on the emotional turmoil she endured in foster care.
Navigating through foster care, Latoshia emphasizes the anxiety-inducing aspects, including mental health concerns and the apprehension associated with reuniting with her parents. "Reuniting with our parents was anxiety-inducing. Scared that whatever I went through before foster care doesn't happen again when going back to parents," she shares.
Latoshia sheds light on the unique experiences of foster youth, urging them not to be afraid of seeking help. "It's OK to talk about things to your foster care provider. Always know that you are not the only one, and there is always help," she states.
“The holidays were actually awesome. Missing things and wishing to be back together as a family, but also creating good memories with laughter and happiness," she reminisces.
Finding comfort and coping mechanisms played a crucial role for Latoshia during her time in foster care. "Talking to my counselors, learning how to hold a conversation, and respecting others' opinions were important skills foster care taught me," she emphasizes.
Reflecting on her foster parents, Latoshia believes financial organization and guidance on navigating love relationships would have been beneficial. "Learning how to financially organize and handle love relationships when the time comes in life would have helped," she expresses.
While acknowledging the impact of foster care on her social life, Latoshia underscores the importance of socializing with peers and respecting others. Education became a source of growth for her, teaching valuable lessons in sharing and collaboration. To Latoshia, education is synonymous with hard work and the application of acquired skills in life.
"Education is important, and it's never too late to learn anything in life," she affirms.
Latoshia encourages people involved in foster care adoption to "Allow foster children to vent and talk about things from the past. Let them feel safe and nurtured until they learn how to protect their feelings," she advocates.
Having had a mentor in her life, Latoshia recognizes the positive impact of their sessions and activities. "It was hard to talk to my mentor at first, but taking one step at a time, we got to know each other and discussed serious matters in my life," she shares.
As Latoshia emancipated from the system, she stresses the need for financial stability and guidance on prioritizing responsibilities. Looking ahead, Latoshia envisions a podcasting project about video gaming, aiming to merge gaming with aspects of today's lifestyle.