Monica H. Don't Hesitate

The biggest challenge that Monica faced in foster care was seeing her other siblings stay home while her sister and her got taken away because of their grandmother calling to get them removed. The way she overcame her challenge was by talking to her mother and social workers.

I knew there was nothing I could do, but behave and pray for the best. I read the book "A Child Called It" that inspired me not to give up.

Her younger sister battled with mental illness, she felt responsible for her and needed to step in and protect her, advocate for her because she didn't know how to express herself.

The trauma of being removed from your family to living with total strangers and having to go be moved from place to place . Not being with your loved ones.

The holidays were sad for her because her and her sister were treated differently from their foster parents own kids. Not being with her siblings and mom or being able to them was hurtful and devastating.

She wish her foster parents treated her and her sister equal to their own kids. She would have liked for her foster mom to allow them to visit their mother and siblings. She felt her foster mom could have paid attention more and supported her in her my games, when she joined the volleyball team.

Being in foster care was traumatic for her and her sister.

Something that brought her comfort while she was in foster care was had to be joining the afterschool program.

She says, “Having the coordinator and her staff supporting me and my sister while in their care was very meaningful..”

While in foster care, Monica was grateful to have a after school program cordonator Joanna . She always assured her of being smart and being a leader. She always directed her to the right path. She felt safe and loved when she was in her care. That had to be the only time she felt like a kid. Joining the volleyball team and reading the book "A child called “ It was inspiring was comforting for her.

She would like to the public to help foster kids by providing school supplies, school clothes and tutoring sessions. If kids had tutoring sessions it will guide them and direct them to further thier education..

Education to her means having financial freedom for her family and herself. The biggest factors is not giving up on your education. You can take brakes along the way as long as you continue until you succeed.

When she was emancipating from the system, she would have liked guidance and having a therapist. She had a lot of trauma and responsibility, she didn't know how to manage it or seek for help.

An accomplishment that makes her proud is returning to school to further her education and sticking to it. Especially being able to guide other former foster students and student parents .Being able to show them that it's possible with the right skills, tools and support system is an accomplishment for her . She also advocate for those that don't have a voice.

Her advice to those in the system now is: “Don't hesitate and go further your education. Follow your dreams and be successful in everything you do.