Former foster youth, Deja says that she is a CSEC Survivor, and not a former CSEC victim. She says now that she has overcome those obstacles, she wants to reach out to other foster youth who are still in the life.

Deja says that when she was in “the life,” she was in the regional offices all the time. Thinking back, she says that she apologizes for all the grief she caused CSWs, SCSWs, ARAs, and CSEC CSWs, and wants to give back, by reaching back.

Now, Deja is taking good care of her son, she is in the process of earning her high school diploma, she has an internship, and a job at FedEx. She is in the process of requesting for her DCFS case to be re-open in order to participate in Extended Foster Care/AB12.

DCFS provided supportive services, include housing, to protect and care for Deja and her son.

Deja says that the birth of her son has helped her make better decisions and get her life back on track for success.