Shyiteimaih C. / Be patient, you will find yourself

The biggest challenge I faced in foster care was identity crisis. When I first went in I was nice and followed everything I was told and believed everything that I heard. I learned in foster care that people are cruel and some people in power take advantage of people in their care.

Unfortunately for those people, they taught me that there is no one better to stand up for you than you.

I would like to see more efficient people making decisions as far as better background checks on foster parents as well as social workers. More training for both as well as mentors. More activities for the kids in group homes. I would like to see a lot of change in the homes where the kids are "safe and cared for" instead of lagging in the court room.

Being a foster kid impacted me when I first began and still does in my adult and college life. I was in a group home with many other girls. I was 1 of 2 graduates from the 3 homes of maybe 40 girls or so.

It made me proud to know that even with all the issues everyone says "us foster kids have", you know, "aggression" "depression" "anxiety", I am a an early high school graduate of 2020. I am currently in college even after being dropped, let down, disappointed lied to by the "system". I still stand above everything as a successful foster child.

My Graduation was my biggest accomplishment. I've been to six different high schools and my senior year was tough especially with COVID and barely being able to graduate. Honestly about 5 months before graduation I almost decided to drop out. Although I had a lot going on, two of my mentors along with a few other people made it clear to me that I deserved it. I was waking up everyday and going to school while juggling a job after school, some “therapy”, house meetings , doctors appointments, and all other after school activities.

My advice is: Be patient. And don't believe everything you’re told. Don't be defiant, but know that not everyone is telling you the truth. Just because someone keeps telling you that your tall isn't going to make you any taller. People used to tell me all types of things about my mom but I was just a kid. They constantly told me something until I thought it was true and it led me to have a lot of issues with myself and others, and I'm still working on it.