Ashley P / Get out of your shell and embrace your inner beauty because you are worth it.

The most defining and challenging experience I had in the foster care system was losing my blood family and not giving myself time to process it fully. I gave up on my goals and dropped out of high school.

If I could give one piece of advice to someone in the system now it would be to not rush things. I know how hard it can get to not have anyone or not be able to connect, but remember it is not your fault. Try to get out of your shell and embrace your inner beauty because you are worth it. No one has to be there for you to feel whole. You are the only one who can complete yourself. Remember you are worthy of having a joyful life do not let anyone take more then you have already lost.

Foster care taught me to love myself and that I have rights as a person despite all the pain I went through. It gave me a system of support and an outlet of resources to better myself.

What I needed most when emancipating from the foster care system was a strong bond or connection with someone.