Michael G. / Go above and beyond

When Michael was younger, he loved the Percy Jackson books. Now, a hobby that Michael had in high school was fashion and shoes. He never really had money to buy Jordans like his friends, but on his 17th birthday, he had saved up enough to buy a pair. He was able to re-sell them and buy new ones — he was glad to have found a way to wear different shoes that make him happy.

When Michael was in the foster care system, he lived with his Grandma and Tia who helped him a lot.

They provided for him, but Michael also matured and got through many hardships by himself which helped him grow as a person.

The most stressful part about being in foster care for Michael was thinking about his siblings who were also placed in foster care. Michael is the oldest of 5 kids, and after living with his siblings his whole life, they were separated.

Michael says that the main thing that foster kids have in their lives that non-foster kids don’t is monthly social worker meetings. It was odd for Michael to have a government worker coming to his house every month and asking questions, but after a while, he got used to it.

Having a great group of friends as his support system really helped him.

Having these people feels more supportive than a therapist or someone you don’t know because they are peers that are your own age.

Events that are held for foster kids, Michael says, are helpful since it gets them out of the house and encourages being social. Another thing that was helpful was an independent living worker who helped him when he aged out of the system at 18. He had no idea how to do adult things like taxes, and this mentor helped him.

In the system, Michael believes that the opinions and stories of the kids and parents need to be listened to more. Michael doesn’t believe he should have been placed in foster care in the first place, so less severe cases need to be considered more thoroughly.

Despite his hardships, foster care has “only increased my determination to succeed as I won’t let a setback put me down. All the services that I was provided, especially when I turned 18, are motivational as well.”

After aging out of the system, Michael moved out and went to live with a friend. Two months later he got his license, his first car, and a job. He has now saved up enough money and bought himself a Camaro which is one of his proudest achievements.

Education is vital for Michael since he’s known he was going to do engineering since 7th grade. He is now going into his 4th semester of college and is very driven to finish his BA. In order to achieve all of this, Michael realizes the value in staying focused and not procrastinating.

In 5 years, Michael sees himself having a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and joining the Air Force as an officer.

Michael has the following advice for those in the system now: “Take advantage of all the help that is provided for you. Work hard while getting these benefits. Go above and beyond. Don’t let being titled as a foster kid ever put you down.”