Texas

Leslie Reneau She/Her/Hers 24 Years Old Texas Foster Care System As a former foster youth, Leslie had a great experience, but also a bad one. When people in high school knew that someone didn’t have parents or that their parents left them, it was an open opportunity for people to... Read more

Francisco Zamago He/Him/His 23 Years Old Texas Foster Care System Francisco entered the Foster Care system at age 14. He is now attending the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley in pursuit of a Master’s in Educational Leadership. He also works at his University as a graduate assistant for... Read more

Hailey Loyd, 18, Texas’s Foster Care System Hailey has been in foster care for 7 years now. She experienced 6 foster homes. One of the most difficult challenges she faced was explaining to her younger siblings why they were in foster care. Hailey is on the Youth Leadership Council (YLC)... Read more

Bethani Dobbs, 20, Texas’s Foster Care System Bethani entered foster care around age 2 and was later reunited with her biological father. She entered care again at age 12 and experienced multiple placements; shelters, foster homes, a treatment center, and a Girl’s home. Naturally confused and feeling unwanted, at age... Read more

Jai McClean, 24, Texas Foster Care System Jai feels that her foster care experiences have provided her with opportunities to gain transferable skills such as effective communication and flexibility. The most influential experience that she feels she has had that will assist her in working with foster youth is her... Read more

Ivy-Marie was 7 when she entered the Texas Child Welfare system. Ivy-Marie states she is grateful to have only experienced one placement. Ivy-Marie completed a Foster Youth Internship with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and advocated in Washington D.C. for legislation pertaining to all current and former foster... Read more

Tommy spent 5 years in the State of Texas’ foster care system before being adopted at age 13. The adoption failed however and Tommy was homeless during his years in High School. After High School, Tommy graduated from Texas State University in 2017 and now works for a terrific organization... Read more

Taylor Alaniz was in care for 8 years in Texas’s Child welfare system. Taylor recalls at least 12 foster homes, 3 residential treatment centers, several hospitalizations, and countless stays in juvenile detention, she doesn’t remember them all. She does remember many people who helped her and “protected” her when she... Read more

5 years in Texas’ Foster Care System Aleea Guzman is a 20-year-old from El Paso, Texas. Aleea entered care when she was 14 years old, due to substance abuse in her household. She is the oldest of five siblings. When she was 18, she had the chance to join her... Read more

4 years in Texas Foster Care System Zoë entered the foster care system at 13 years old with one of her brothers, due to physical and sexual abuse. Being placed in foster care prevented Zoë from seeing her 6 other siblings. Going into her second placement, her and her brother... Read more