When Valeria entered probation at the age of 13, she could never have imagined a world where she would go on to college, let alone, go on to pursue her PhD.
“I entered foster care through probation. My twin sister and I were abused when we were 5 by someone renting our back house, and that’s how we came into contact with social services. My mom was shooting in the dark, and we didn’t know how to express ourselves and our family couldn’t deal with it. We grew up trying to express ourselves anyway we knew how. I got sent to Juvenile Camp at 13. All we were doing before that was a cry for help. ”
At 16, Valeria’s was transitioned from juvenile camp to a residential treatment facility, and for the first time, Valeria felt understood and cared for, and the world before her unfolded.
“It was a huge jump – a jail to a home. Right away, I recognized that this place was different. Through the environment, and the staff, I wasn’t a criminal anymore. They were kind, trauma informed, they treated me like they understood – they treated me like a kid. They help you figure out your life, give you a chance to rebuild and be who you want to be.”
“We have found a huge coalition of organizations and former foster youths to get support from. They showed me education, they helped me get a job through their wrap-around program. They took me to the Independent Living Program (ILP), and once I went on a college campus, I knew there were opportunities – I had a taste of it, It took me having a little taste of opportunity and trying to recreate that in an environment that wasn’t good for me to know I had to do more.”
Valeria went on to take night classes to fulfill her High School requirements, community college at East Los Angeles Community College, and transferred to a four-year university where she finished her undergraduate degree and is now on her way to receiving her Master’s Degree.
On the horizon, Valeria plans to pursue a Fulbright fellowship and a PhD. The world is her limit.
*In order to protect the anonymity and privacy of our families, names have been changed and photos are randomized.