As a former foster youth, Fabiana is a prime example of how no circumstance is limiting unless you allow it to be.
“Kids today use foster care as an excuse to be limited or why they can’t do things. I want to be able to tell foster kids about all the ways in which DCFS can help them. I tell foster kids today to research the opportunities and have an exit plan even for after they graduate from college.”
Fabiana came from a family of teen mothers, where her biological mom was sick and unable to care for her. Her biological grandfather, aunts and cousins all remained in her life while throughout her time in foster care, and she had the same family from when she entered foster care through age 16.
While in foster care, Fabiana had a two-parent home with good role models. She was taught the importance of an education, and provided with a strong community, including church and family by her foster parents (as she calls them), who made sure that the expectation was clear that she attend a four-year university after high school.
Fabiana worked hard while attending school full-time and found herself homeless during some summers in college when she didn’t stay with family, former foster parents, and friends. When she didn’t stay with family and friends, she slept in her car, the school chapel, or in the classrooms she cleaned at night while attending summer school during the day. During her time in college, she worked in the student cafeteria, the college gym pulling out the bleachers for chapel and games, cleaned dorm bathrooms, and classrooms to earn an income. She also worked at McDonald’s and Little Caesars. Her perseverance paid off, and she graduated in four years, completing 58 units her senior year, in addition to 400 DCFS Internship hours in order to graduate on time.
During college, she interned with DCFS, which gave her a good foundation and opportunity to get connected with full-time employment right after earning a Bachelor’s degree for Social Work. She’s worked with DCFS for 12 years now, and her struggles during college have led to her interest in someday becoming an Independent Living Program Transition Coordinator to help youth Transitioning Aged Youth navigate extended foster care and emancipation services after turning 18.
Today, Fabiana is a married mother of two, and a homeowner, going from a potentially uncertain future, to one filled with hope, possibility, and the ability to be self-sufficient.
*In order to protect the anonymity and privacy of our families, names have been changed and photos are randomized.