Lidia B. Trust your instincts!

Lidia speaks on the challenges she faced in the system since the age of 6. Reflecting on her time in care she always looked happy. With a huge smile on her face because she was really good at masking her true emotions. She was willing to put others first and prioritize how she could help the next person including her siblings who were also in foster care.

“I poured all my energy trying to invest in my education because I knew that was a "way out" school was always a safe space for me. I had friends who liked me, great teachers who cared for me and gave me the attention I desired. I kept that energy and focused on my studies and became involved in the foster care community.”

“Not having a childhood and worrying about where will I live next. Having to sleep in a room that you don't recognize and waking up feeling scared or confused because you're in a new room. Or "Will these people be nice or hurt me like the others have in the past? " I had a lot of anxiety about many things while in foster care.”

The most anxiety inducing part about being placed in foster care was living with strangers and having to adapt every time she moved. Also not knowing when she would be with her brother again. Her sister and her were placed together because their foster parents didn't want foster boys. She always felt the need to protect her siblings even though she is the middle child. Her advice for those experiencing foster care like herself is:

“Trust your instincts! You know what's best for you so believe in yourself!.”

Lidia feels proud of being a graduate. An accomplishment that makes her proud is working with foster youth now. She work with AB12 youth ages 18-21 and it is such a privilege for her to work in this field and have empathy towards youth in care.

Music helped her a lot (when she could listen to it) when she would hear music she would hear the stories that were told too. It allowed her to imagine and relate to many things like friendships, love and heartbreak and sometimes not know how to feel. She love to take care of her plants, go for a hike and go camping. She love good books to read too. In five years, she see herself having her Masters in Social Work and being a mom sooner than that!