California

Megan Lindsey spent 2 1/2 years in California's Foster Care System. Megan, who spent two years in the system, believes that foster care was a positive experience in her life. Her placement with a Hispanic family helped Megan overcome shyness, grow comfortable with a new culture, and eventually learn to... Read more

Marcelina Valenzuela spent 7 years in California's Foster Care System Marcelina was born as a drug addicted infant and went directly into foster care. Her father gained custody of her at 4. Life at home was abusive, and Marcelina entered the juvenile system at age 13. She was in and... Read more

Katlyn Perugini spent 2 years in California's Foster Care System. Katlyn entered foster care at the age of 16. She was in two placements over this time: a shelter for over a month and a home with 7 teenage girls and two birth children under the age of 12. Katlyn... Read more

Jennifer Nguyen spent 1 year and 9 months in California's Foster Care System. Jennifer was placed into foster care at the age of sixteen; her sophomore year of high school. In less than 2 years in care she experienced six different placements. Jennifer is currently living on her own by... Read more

James Monroe spent 6 years in California's Foster Care System. James was in the foster care system for about 6 years, between the ages of 12 and 18. His stay in care included 6 different placements; one of them three times. James emancipated at 18 and has been on his... Read more

Ja'nai Spain spent 14 years in California's Foster Care System While Ja’nai Spain suffered the separation from siblings and a constant change of placements while in foster care, through it all she maintained a positive attitude about her experiences. She believes the constant change she endured has made her easily... Read more

Iberia Zafira spent 2 1/2 years in California's Foster Care System. Iberia went into foster care at age 15 due to abuse at home. Although times have been tough due to family and financial instability, she is very thankful for the positive influences and opportunities in her life, especially people... Read more

Erica Lopez spent her whole life in California's Foster Care System With the support of strong and loving foster parents, Erica Lopez overcame her negative experiences in foster care. Her outlook has changed to one of hope. Through her pain, Erica has become compassionate and genuinely concerned for the well-being... Read more

Brandon Cherry spent 18 years in California's Foster Care System Brandon was placed into foster care at the age of nine months. He was later adopted by a woman in her sixties whom he lived with until she passed away when Brandon was 14. He lived with her eldest daughter... Read more

Ariel Lopez has made something good of her troubling experiences in foster care. She has risen above her negative experiences by not allowing them to destroy her dreams, and by learning to take control of what she could. In hindsight, she now views foster care as a positive experience which... Read more