Hi, my name is Alex! I am a graduate Masters of Social Work student with a clinical and child specialization interning at San Dimas High School in San Dimas, CA. The focus of my internship is working with the foster youth by supporting them mentally, academically, and physically. While some of my students have been in the foster care system most of their life, others have just entered into it. Regardless of how long they have been in the foster care system, the effects of being in any governmental system at such a young age can carry a weight and burden that no child should have to bear. The effects of choices that were made outside of their power are ones that they will have to live with for the rest of their lives. There is often a negative connotation that comes with the phrase "foster youth", which creates a stigma surrounding these students and their future. After working with my students for the past 6 months, I have been blown away by their resilience, strength, and perseverance. I have heard their personal stories that left me speechless, in tears, and sent a shock to my core. But regardless of what they encounter, they continue to push through every hardship that faces them because it's usually all they've ever known.

 

As foster youth, they unfortunately are not always given everything they need. In a system so overrun, so broken, and in need of so much more support and resources, sometimes their basic needs are not always met. While some foster youth are fortunate enough to live with extended family or family friends, others are forced to fill up a black trash bag with the items they love most and then are sent somewhere foreign, unknown, and unfamiliar. Sometimes they are lucky enough to stay at the school they were at while others are forced to begin again without the necessities because not everything they need fits in their black trash bag. 

 

As a first-year MSW student, we are tasked with putting together a Macro Project that focuses on the population that we are working with and in turn, benefits them in a positive way. For part of my Macro Project, I have chosen to hold a fundraiser in hopes of raising money to help financially support the needs of the foster youth at SDHS in the upcoming school year. All proceeds raised from this fundraiser will be directly given to the Foster Youth Liaison for SDHS to use as needed to provide for the foster youth in need of support and assistance. Typical items needed for the foster youth at SDHS can include clothing, scientific calculators, shoes, backpacks, sporting equipment, and food assistance. My goal is for every foster youth at SDHS to know that they are not alone and have the support of the teachers and administration behind them, every step of the way.