California

Genesis Duarte-Vazquez, age 21, California’s Child Welfare system. Genesis entered the foster care system at the age of 9 years old, having been in 3 different foster homes after entering care. She recently aged out of the foster care system, at the age of 21. Genesis is currently attending South... Read more

Kimberly Coronel, 19, California’s Child welfare system. Kimberly entered care at the age of four. She had a total of 5 placements throughout her foster care experience, 2 group homes, 2 foster home placements, and a failed adoption. In her last placement, her foster parents received guardianship of her. After... Read more

Alexis was in foster care for 21 years of age in Los Angeles. Alexis’s time in care was rocky, with multiple placements including both kinship care as well as congregate care. About a year ago she was adopted by her foster family and is happy to have found permanence. She... Read more

Patrick Gem Gabbett 20 years old He/Him/His & They/Them/Theirs Woodland, California 3 years in California's child welfare system. Patrick entered care at 17 after escaping his abusive family and has opted into extended care. Since then, Patrick has experienced a foster home, SILP (a supervised independent living placement), homelessness, and... Read more

10 years in California’s foster care system 22 years old She/Her/Hers Michelle entered care at the age of five for one year and was then reunified with her mother. While in foster care Michelle experienced 6 different placements, which included a kinship/relative placement with her older sister, a group home,... Read more

3 years in California's child welfare system 20 years old He/Him/His & They/Them/Theirs Woodland, California Patrick entered care at the age of 17 after escaping his abusive family, and has opted into extended care. Patrick has experienced a foster home, SILP — a supervised independent living placement, was homeless for... Read more

3 years in the California foster care system Joel is an enthusiastic and hardworking individual with a great personality. He was born in California, but grew up in Aguascalientes, Ags Mexico. Despite receiving a good education, he experienced domestic violence in his family which hindered his education. He then became... Read more

Kevin Lynn was in foster care for four and a half years. He was placed in 36 different homes and 8 group homes. He has overcome many obstacles. From emancipating himself, to having his apartment burn to the ground, and having cancer. He has helped raise tens of thousands of... Read more

Vincent Bartle spent 7 years in the California foster care system. Vincent was placed in 4 different foster homes during his time in care. While in high school, Vincent received the Gates Scholarship, the scholarship covered his tuition to attend the University of California. Berkeley is where Vincent achieved a... Read more

Erica Hickey decided to go into foster care in 2012 and went through five different placements in the state of California. She hasn’t had much communication with her siblings, but she is working towards finding a way to reconnect. Since being in foster care she has become a full time... Read more