I’ve been in foster care since I was four years old. My biological mother– a teenager– was extremely poor and mentally ill. She abused me physically and emotionally when I was just a toddler. Some of those scars are still visible to this day.

In foster care, I lived out of trash bags as I went from one family to the next hoping that one of them would let me stay. When I was 7 years old, I finally met my adoptive mom and my entire life changed. I felt loved and taken care of for the very first time in my life. I was safe. My mom gave me the opportunity to get a great education and she encouraged my love of storytelling and the arts.

Yesterday I got amazing news! NYU actually accepted someone like me! I’m still in shock. NYU is so above any of my childhood expectations. I still cannot believe I’m here. My mom and I really need your help. She would never ask but as a elementary school librarian she is not in a position to help pay for school.

If you are able to share or donate to this fundraiser, you are helping a former foster youth pursue a future built on creativity, healing, and purpose.