Former Foster Child Xiomara Torres is now a judge Xiomara Torres Mattson. Xiomara and her sister came into the foster care system at the age of 12. At that time children were being transported for their dependency court hearings at the Criminal Building in Los Angeles.

Even as a young lady, Xiomara exuded a spirit of strength and determination. She would talk about what she wanted to be when she grew up. She spoke about the abuse she suffered and she told her social workers on numerous occasions she wanted to be the one making the decisions in the courtroom so that what happened to her would not happen to other little girls.

Xiomara also had a younger sister who was still at home. She wanted to protect her little sister so she disclosed what had been happening to her when she was at home with her family. She never wavered and answered questions asked by attorneys, social workers and other individuals involved in her case over and over again.

Xiomara Torres was in the foster care system until she was 18 years old.

Many times she would see the choices that her teenage friends had made with regard to drug or alcohol use or getting pregnant. She had a maturity and wisdom far beyond her years. Xiomara was focused. She was determined to attain the goals she set for herself. When she was in the courtroom for her hearings she would speak up on her own behalf and read the court reports she was given. Xiomara went on to graduate from high school and from a four-year university and law school.

Today, Xiomara is in the position to help keep children safe.

*In order to protect the anonymity and privacy of our families, names have been changed and photos are randomized.