“After my 2 years at DCFS’ Transitional Housing Program, there’s another program THP+ and you can go there for an additional 2 years,” Judith said. “But I didn’t qualify anymore – it’s for youth who need extra help, but they knew I had everything put together.”

Judith was removed from her home at 2-months-old due to both parents possessing drug additions. She was placed in a home for orphans, and eventually, a foster home. At 16-years-old, Judith ran away, and later was returned to a stable foster home until she was able to emancipate.

When Judith graduated high school, she knew things were looking up. She graduated from high school, then went to the transitional housing program. She went to community college, became a student worker and went on to mentor for foster youth.

“I got motivated. I’d gotten into school, graduated from community college, and then transferred to a four-year university to get a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. I went on to apply for my masters degree. I did experience a lot in and out of foster care. A lot of the foster care I experienced – seeing them be arrested, being homeless -and I turned that negative into a positive.”

Today, Judith has a great job with the Chief Executive Office of Los Angeles County.

“I experienced hard hurdles in foster care, but looking back, looking at my birth family, I’m more successful growing up in foster care than with my birth family. I needed that struggle to become stronger.”