Mona G. / Use your voice

The best times in Mona’s childhood were when she would listen to music, ride her bike, and play street baseball and football with the neighborhood kids her age. They hung out until the street light went on in the summertime.

Mona spent 6 years in foster care, and, back then, she was forced to emancipate at 15. She had to figure out how to be on her own, but she is still here today and has not given up on herself, and she is proud of that.

After the abuse — sexual, physical, and emotional — I am still here. I have not given up on myself and I won’t give up on the kids like me that are still out there and don’t have a voice. When some days all I want to do is give up, I remember that there is someone out there that is waiting for someone like me to hold their hand and help, because maybe they are not as strong as I am to ask for help.”

In foster care, Mona wasn’t sure if she would ever see her mom again. She saw her for the last time a week before Christmas when she was 9, and did not see her again until she was 24 years old. By then, Mona had had 5 children. Mona was taken away from loved ones and placed with strangers.

Being in foster care also affected Mona as a student. She admits that foster care affected her in a negative way, and she still lives with those consequences now. Mona still struggles with trusting people with her feelings. However, Mona knows one thing, and that is:

“Education is one thing no one can ever take away from you! It is yours forever!”

Mona says her foster parents could have treated her like they treated the other kids in the home, but she doesn’t blame them for this anymore. Something that brought Mona comfort while in foster care was knowing that one day she would be an adult. The system is changing slowly, she says, but kids are still struggling and parents are still fostering kids that shouldn’t be.

The general public can be more aware of things that are going on. If you see something, say something.

Mona’s advice for those in foster care now is, “Be strong and speak up. Use your voice. Don’t be afraid to say what needs to be said to social workers, schools, and anyone who will listen. You have rights.”